l^reeb^tetianiem 


iteuben  anb  EUcGaniP. 


PRINCETON,  N.  J.  ^* 


Shelf.. 


BX  8947  .N48  S7  1897 
Miller,  James  Alexander, 

1864- 
The  history  of  the 

PrAshvtp.rv  of  Stp.nhpn 


Rev.  JAMES  H.   HOTCHKIN,    Prattsburg. 
From  a  photograph  owned  by  the  Prattsburg  Church. 


The  History  of  the 
^SPrc^buicriJ  of  ^icuhen: 

Including  that  of  all  the  other  Presbyteries  to  which  the  churches 

of  Steuben  and  Allegany  Counties  have  belonged,  notices 

of  ministers,   elders,    and  missionaries,  sketches 

of  the  existing  churches  of  Presbytery,   and 

over  one  hundred  illustrations. 


—By  the— 
He"^.  •Ta.mes  A.,  HMiller,  I»la..  I>., 

Stated  Clerk  of  Steuben  Presbytery. 


-J-<Ss^4-*^:>-C" 


Published  by  Presbytery. 


'This  shall  be  written  for  the  generation  to  come'". — Ps.  102:18. 


ANGELICA,  N.Y.: 

Allegany  County  Republican  Press. 

F.  C.  Oemsby.  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  Engraver. 

1897. 


Ye  hills  of  Allegany 

And  valleys  of  Steuben, 
Full  well  you  speak  Jehovah's  power 

From  every  peak  and  glen: 
Full  well  from  woods  and  waters. 

And  fields  of  verdure  fair. 
His  wisdom,  goodness  and  His  truth. 

You  ceaselessly  declare. 

By  this,  the  willing  captives 
Who  love  your  rugged  ways, 

You  point  to  Him  who  ruleth  all. 
To  whom  be  all  the  praise.  *  *  * 

And  thus,  O  hills  and  valleys- 
Dispensers  of  God's  love — 

We  rise,  by  you  His  stepping-stones, 
Up  to  His  Courts  above. 

Then  be  it  our  endeavor. 

In  thought  and  word  and  deed, 
To  live.  Thy  children,  as  Thou  wilt, 

And  so  Thy  kingdom  speed, 
Till  the  hills  of  Allegany 

And  valleys  of  Steuben, 
With  loving  words  of  women  thrill. 

And  noble  deeds  of  men. 

As  thus,  in  loyal  service, 

By  help  of  grace  divine, 
We  do  or  suffer  in  Thy  name, 

The  glory  shall  be  Thine: 
While  holy  jubilate 

Re-echoes  back  again. 
From  Allegany's  grand  old  hills, 

And  the  vales  of  dear  Steuben! 

— P'roni  Lines  read  at 
Presbyterial  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  Conference 
D»c..  1S03. 


INTEODUCTOEY  NOTE. 

A  few  pages  in  the  handwriting  of  Eev.  William  A.  Niles,  D.  D., 
outlining  the  history  of  Bath  and  Steuben  Presbyteries  and  of  three 
or  four  churches,  is  the  seed  from  which  this  compilation  has  grown. 
It  is  an  attempt  to  bring  together  in  permanent  and  accessible  form 
the  essential  facts  with  regard  to  Presbyterianism  in  Steuben  and 
Allegany  counties — the  field  of  Steuben  Presbytery.  It  is  based 
upon  a  careful  study  of  all  the  records  of  the  various  presbyteries. 
The  sketches  of  churches  which  appear  in  all  cases  have  been  re- 
vised by  representatives  of  the  churches.  The  illustrations  have 
been  added  by  permission  of  Presbytery,  and  without  expense  to  it, 
with  the  desire  of  making  the  work  the  more  interesting  and  val- 
uable. It  is  a  matter  of  great  regret  that  no  portrait  of  Rev.  David 
Higgins  could  be  found.  The  ministers  in  every  case,  excepting  the 
larger  pictures,  appear  in  the  order  in  which  they  began  work  on 
this  field,  without  regard  to  the  text;  the  elders  in  the  order  in 
which  they  were  ordained;  and  the  churches  in  the  order  in  which 
they  were  founded.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  no  space  was 
available  for  personal  sketches. 

It  is  not  possible  to  name  here  the  great  number  of  friends  of 
Presbytery  who  have  assisted  in  some  way — by  gathering  or  verifying 
facts,  by  helping  to  secure  engravings,  and  by  paying  for  them. 
Especial  acknowledgment  is  due  to  Rev.  William  Waith,  Ph.  D., 
Stated  Clerk  of  Buffalo  Presbytery,  for  twice  loaning  the  records  of 
Angelica  and  Genesee  Valley  Presbyteries;  to  Rev.  Charles  C.  Garr, 
nearly  fifty  years  Stated  Clerk  of  Chemung  Presbytery,  for  twice  loan- 
ing the  necessary  records  of  Chemung  Presbytery;  and  to  Rev.  J.  Wil- 
ford  Jacks,  D.  D.,  Stated  Clerk  of  Geneva  Presbytery,  for  the  priv- 
ilege of  examining  the  early  records  of  Geneva  Presbytery.  An 
outline  sketch  found  in  a  book  of  minutes  of  the  first  ten  years  of 
Genesee  Valley  Presbytery,  by  Rev.  Isaac  G.  Ogden,  then  Stated 
Clerk,  has  helped.  Many  of  the  facts  in  the  sketch  of  missionaries 
have  been  gleaned  from  the  "Silver  Jubilee"  pamphlet  of  the 
Woman's  Presbyterial  Society.  "  The  History  of  Rochester  Pres- 
bytery", by  Rev.  Levi  Parsons,  D.  D. ;  the  "Historical  Sketch  of 
Buffalo  Presbytery",  by  Rev.  Dr.  William  Waith;  the  brief  "His- 
tory of  the  Presbytery  of  Niagara",  published  in  1887;  the  "  His- 
tory of  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva  (1805-1889)",  by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  Jer- 
main  Porter,  and  "  The  History  of  the  Settlement  of  Steuben 
County",  by  Guy  H.  McMaster,  have  all  been  of  assistance.  But 
more  valuable  and  serviceable  than  anything,  for  the  early  history, 
has  been  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkins'  monumental  "History  of  Wes- 
tern New  York  ".  Special  acknowledgment  is  due  to  Mr.  Charles 
P.  Arnold,  of  Angelica,  for  valuable  help  in  many  different  ways. 

J.  A.  M. 

December  1,  1897. 


INDEX. 


NOTE— Asterisks  indicate    illustrations, 
numbered. 

♦Addison  Church 80,  20,  834 

*Ainsvvorth,  Addison 72 

Almond  Church V.  9,26.  62-4 

♦  .Amsden.  Charles 64,  4o 

♦Andover  Church... 80,7,  27,  70-1 

♦Angelica  Church 76,4,  7,  27,48,  64-6 

Angelica  Presbytery 13-18,  36 

Arkport  Church 86-7 

♦Atlanta  Church 84,  91 

♦Avoca  Church 84,  92 

*Bacon,  John  S 22,  44 

♦Baker,  Thaddeus  J 68 

♦Bath  Church 76,  4.  56-8 

Bath  Presbytery 6-13.  36 

Belmont  Church 27,  79-si 

♦Bisbee,  Frank  H — 32 

♦Blair,  Tyrell 10 

♦Bosworth,  Byron 1*^ 

♦Bradbury,  Ziba  N 44,  43,  67 

♦Cameron.  Duncan 26 

♦Campbell  Church 80.  74-';6 

Canaseraga  Church 89-90 

♦Canisteo  Church 84,  87_-9 

Centerville  Church '1 

♦Chatfleld,  Charles  J 60 

Chemung  Presbytery 19-24,  36 

Christian  Endeavor 33 

♦Clark,  Solomon CO,  45 

♦Clements,  Robert '^0 

Cohocton  Church 7,  59-60 

Communicants 53 

Confession  of  Faith 33 

Congregationalism 39-40 

♦Corning  Church 76,  5,  7,  60-2 

♦Coryell,  John 56 

♦Craig,  James 72 

♦Cuba  Church 80.  27,  71-73 

♦Day,  S.  Mills 10,  10 

♦Deems.  Edward  M 30 

Discipline 9.  1.5,  23,  27 

Dismissals 10,  14,  21,  28,  32 

Elders 28.44-0 

♦Evans,  Evan  R 26 

Extinct  Churches 10-1 

♦Gardner,  Corliss  B 14 

Genesee  Valley  Presbytery 25-9,37 

Geneva  Presbytery 3-5.  36 

♦Gillet,  Joel  D 56.45 

♦tlamilton,  John  D 72,31 

♦Hammondsport  Church 80,  76-7 

♦Hartshorn,  Charles 72 

♦Hartshorn  Church,  Hornellsville 84,  90  1 

♦Hatch,  Hyatt  C 72 

Higgins,  David 4,39,42,58,60 

♦  Higgins,  Martin 68 

♦Hill,  M.  L.P 18 

♦Hoag,  Philip  C - 68 

♦Hood,  Uriah  D 64,45 

♦Hopkins.  Samuel  M 4,61 

Hornbv  Church 78 

♦Hornellsville  1st  Church 80,  27,  81-a 

♦Hotchkin,  James  II.,  Frontispiece, 

4,  10,  39,  42,  44,  54.  55.  69 

♦Howard  Church 76,  7,  66-8 

♦Hubbard,  Chauncey  P.. 68.  50 

♦Hubbard,  Robert 40,  4,  .39,  42,  47 

♦Hull,  ErwiD  C 26 

♦Hull,  Leverett. 4,48 

Hunter,  Moses 14,  43,  44,  63 

♦  Hurlbut,  John 64.  45 

♦Button,  Alfred  J... 32 

Incorporation 31 

Installations 10,14,21,28,32 

♦Janes,  George  M 26 

Jasper  Church 20,  73-4 


which  may  be  found  opposite  the  page  first 

♦Jones,  William  E 14 

♦Karr,  George 60 

♦Knox,  (Charles  A 64,46 

♦Laine,  Lewis  F 14,  43 

♦Lane,  John  W  10 

Littlejohn,  Augustus 15 

♦I.ockhart,  Moses 60 

*3Iap 1 

♦McLeod,  David 22,28 

♦Mead,  Henry  A 60 

♦Miller,  James  A 30,  .32 

♦Miller,  L.Merrill 10 

Ministers. 5,  12-13,  18,  23-4,  29,  34-5,  41-4 

Missionaries ....2,  46-51 

Missions 31, 32,  39 

Moderators 23,36-8 

New  School 2,  7,  15,  22,39 

♦Niles,  Henry  E 14 

Niles,  John 41,  54 

♦Niles  Mary  W 52.50.  52 

♦Niles,  William  A 42,  32,43,44.  61 

♦Ogden,  Isaac  G 18,  28 

Old  School 2,  7,22.  57 

♦Painted  Post  Church 84,  85-6 

♦Parker,  Samuel 46,  47-8,  62 

♦Parker,  Zenas  L 60,  31,45 

♦Pattengill,  Horatio 10,  10,  61 

♦Piatt.  James  M. 42,  32,  43 

♦Pratt,  Samuel  \V 18,44 

♦Prattsburg  Church 76,9,  48,  51-6 

♦Prentiss,  John  A 64 

Prentiss,  Narcissa 45,  47-9,  5.5,  65 

!  ♦Preston.  Marcus  N 26.  32 

'  ♦Pultenev  Church 76,4,  7,  68-70 

♦Reid,  Gilbert 22,  50 

;  ♦Reid,  John 18 

♦Reid.  William  A 32 

Re-union 27,  31 

Revivals. ...7,  61,  63,  66,  68,  71,  75, 

i  76.82,88,89.91,92 

;  *Robertson,  Daniel  J ..22 

,  ♦Robinson,  James  R 30 

*Rudd,  George  R 4,  10 

I  ♦Salmon,  Edgar  P 30 

♦Sargent,  Joshua. 56.  45 

Secret  Societies 8,  9 

S  la  very 17,  22,  27 

♦Smith,  Benjamin  C 4,  9,  43 

[  ♦Smith,  Chauncey  B 56 

;  ♦Smith.  Edward  H 72 

:  ♦Smith,  George  R 26 

!  ♦Spalding.  Henry  H 4,  9,  47-9,55 

i  Stated  Clerks 5.  lo,  14,  20,  28.  32 

♦Steele.  Dwight  K 18,28 

Steuben  Presbytery 30-5,37-8 

j  ♦Stevens,  Lawrence  M 22 

!  ♦.Stewart,  George  D 10 

I  ♦Stoddard,  Elijah  W 14 

I  ♦Taylor,  Nathaniel  C 64,45,46 

j  Temperance 8,  16,27 

;  ♦Thacher,  T.  Scott 68,31 

♦Thomas.  Vial 56,44 

Trustees,  Presbytery 31 

♦VanCampen,  Moses .56,  4,  44 

♦Van  VVie,|Alonzo 68,  31 

Visitation.  Presby terial 28,  33 

♦Wakeman,  Joel 44,  9,  14,  17,42,  44 

♦Waldo,  Milton 14 

♦Walton,  Fred  E 32 

♦U'augh,  John 22,  43,  59 

♦Webster,  Hezekiah 32 

♦Willson,  Robert  E 4,  10,  43.  44,  61 

♦Whitman,  Marcus 48,  50,  7,  9,  47-9 

Woman's  Presbyterial  Society 51-2 

WoodhuU  Church 20,  78-9 


The  History  of  Steuben  Presbytery. 

THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

REV.  Richard  DEJsrTO]S"  and  Rev.  Francis  Makemie  are  the  two 
names  most  prominent  in  the  early  history  of  "  The  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America".  Denton  was  settled  over 
the  Presbyterian  congregation  of  Hempstead,  L.  I.,  in  1644,  and 
Makemie  began  work  at  Reheboth,  Md.,  in  1683.  Seven  ministers 
met  in  Philadelphia  in  1705  and  constituted  the  Presbytery  of  Phil- 
adelphia, with  Rev.  Francis  Makemie  Moderator.  The  first  synod, 
the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  was  formed  in  1717,  by  dividing  the 
original  presbytery  into  three  presbyteries  —  Philadelphia,  New 
Castle,  and  Long  Island.  In  1729  the  Westminster  Confession  of 
Faith  was  adopted  as  the  standard  of  doctrine.  There  were  now  on 
the  roll  27  ministers.  The  first  division  came  in  1741,  growing  out 
of  the  "Great  Awakening"  questions.  In  this  revival  movement 
Gilbert  Tennent,  Jonathan  Edwards,  and  George  Whitfield  were 
leaders.  Until  1758  there  were  two  independent  synods,  New  York 
and  Philadelphia,  at  which  time  these  two  synods  reunited  under 
the  name  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  There  were 
now  enrolled  9  presbyteries,  with  94  ministers  and  more  than  100 
churches. 

In  1788  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Longer  and  Shorter  Cate- 
chism, the  Directory  of  Worship,  and  the  Form  of  Government  and 
Discipline  were  adopted,  and  the  16  presbyteries  were  distributed 
into  four  synods.  The  first  General  Assembly  met  in  Philadelphia 
in  1789.  The  "  Plan  of  Union",  an  agreement  between  the  Pres- 
byterian and  Congregational  Churches  to  facilitate  frontier  work, 
especially  in  Western  New  York,  was  adopted  in  1801.  By  the 
trials  of  McNemar  and  Campbell  for  heresy,  in  1801  and  1805  re- 
spectively, the  strongest  impetus  was  given  to  the  formation  of  the 
Christian  Church;  while  in  1810  the  withdrawal  of  ministers  to  form 
the  Presbytery  of  Cumberland  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church.  The  last  and  greatest  division  came  in 
1837,  when  General  Assembly  exscinded  the  Synods  of  Utica,  Ge- 
neva, and  Genesee,  in  Western  New  York,  and  Western  Reserve  in 
Ohio.  The  representatives  of  these  synods  held  a  Conference  at 
Auburn  in  August  1837;  and  at  Philadelphia  the  next  spring  their 
commissioners,   being  refused  enrollment  in  the  General  Assembly, 


'4  THE  PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH — BEGINNINGS. 

organized  a  second  General  Assembly.  The  latter  branch  became 
known  as  the  "  New  School"  and  the  former  as  the  "  Old  School" 
Presbyterian  Church.  The  Southern  commissioners  withdrew  from 
the  "  Old  School"  General  Assembly  of  1861,  and  in  1862  completed 
the  organization  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church.  At  Pitts- 
burg in  1869  Old  and  New  School  Churches  agreed  upon  a  basis  of 
union,  and  at  Philadelphia  in  1870  the  union  was  fully  consum- 
mated. 


BEGINNINGS. 

The  counties  of  Steuben  and  Allegany — the  field  of  Steuben  Pres- 
bytery— were  settled  by  those  who  entered  at  what  is  now  Corning, 
and  followed  the  Canisteo  and  Cohocton  rivers  toward  their  source. 
The  first  inhabitant  was  William  Harris,  an  Indian  trader,  who  set- 
tled at  Painted  Post  about  1787.  In  1789  Solomon  Bennett,  John 
Davison,  Uriah  Stephens,  Richard  Crosby,  and  possibly  EHsha 
Brown,  visited  and  purchased  lands  now  in  Canisteo  and  Hornells- 
ville  and  at  once  began  settlements.  In  that  same  year  Frederick 
Calkins,  Ephraim  Patterson,  and  Ichabod  Patterson  made  the  first 
settlement  in  what  is  now  Corning.  In  1790  Col.  Eleazar  Lindsley, 
a  member  of  the  Morristown,  N.  J.,  Presbyterian  Church,  reached 
the  Tioga  valley.  April  17,  1793,  Capt.  Williamson's  party  of  30, 
headed  by  Charles  Cameron,  landed  from  their  flat-boat  near  the 
present  site  of  the  D.  L.  &  W.  R.  R.  station  in  Bath.  In  1795, 
Allegany's  pioneer,  Nathaniel  Dike,  settled  between  Andover  and 
Wellsville.  The  next  year  Rev.  Andrew  Gray,  Moses  VanCampen, 
Henry  McHenry,  and  Joseph  Rath  bun  settled  in  the  present  Al- 
mond. Steuben  County  was  erected  from  Ontario  by  an  Act  passed 
Mar.  8,  1796,  and  was  divided  into  six  towns — Bath,  Canisteo, 
Dansville,  Frederickstown,  Middletown,  and  Painted  Post.  Alle- 
gany County  was  formed  from  Genesee  by  an  Act  passed  April  6, 
1806,  and  for  two  years  Angelica  was  the  only  township. 

The  first  church  organized  in  the  field  of  Steuben  Presbytery  was 
a  Dutch  Reformed  church  at  Almond,  in  1796  or  '97.  The  first 
Presbyterian  ministers  in  Western  New  York  of  whom  we  have 
definite  knowledge  were  missionaries  in  the  employment  of  General 
Assembly.  In  1793  Rev.  Ira  Condict  organized  a  Congregational 
church  at  Palmyra,  and  the  same  year  Rev.  Benjamin  Judd  another 
at  Oquago.  The  first  Presbyterian  churches  in  Western  New  York 
were  organized  in  1795  by  Rev.  Daniel  Thacher,  at  Newtown  (El- 
mira),  Charlestown  (Lima),  and  Geneseo  (Lakeville).  In  1799 
Rev.  David  Barclay  and  Rev.  Robert  Logan  spent  three  months  in 


BEGINNINGS — GENEVA    PRESBYTERY.  3 

Ontario  and  Steuben  Counties.  The  first  Presbyterian  ministers  to 
settle  permanently  in  Western  New  York  were  Rev.  Jedediah  Chap- 
man at  Geneva  in  1800,  and  Rev.  John  Lindsley  at  Ovid,  in  the 
same  year. 

In  1800  all  New  York  State,  except  New  York  city  and  vicinity, 
belonged  to  Albany  Presbytery.  In  1802  all  Central  and  Western 
New  York  were  set  off  into  Oneida  Presbytery.  In  1805  Oneida 
Presbytery  was  restricted  to  the  west  lines  of  Oneida  and  Chenango 
Counties,  and  all  the  State  west  of  that  line  was  assigned  to  the  new 
Geneva  Presbytery.  In  1810  Geneva  Presbytery  was  restricted  to 
the  tract  west  of  Lake  Cayuga — Onondaga  and  Chenango  Presby- 
teries being  erected  east  of  that  lake.  In  1817  Western  New  York 
was  distributed  into  four  presbyteries — Geneva,  Bath,  Ontario,  and 
Niagara. 

Before  1820  all  the  presbyteries  of  Western  New  York  belonged  to 
Geneva  Synod.  In  1820  General  Assembly  constituted  Niagara, 
Genesee,  Rochester,  and  Ontario  Presbyteries  the  Synod  of  Genesee, 
and  in  1834  Angelica  Presbytery  was  transferred  from  Geneva  Synod 
to  Genesee.  Buffalo  Presbytery  when  erected  was  assigned  to  Gene- 
see Synod.  In  1871  the  new  Synod  of  Genesee,  formed  by  the 
union  of  the  New  School  Synod  of  Genesee  and  the  Old  School 
Synod  of  Buffalo,  was  permitted  by  General  Assembly  to  change 
its  name  to  the  Synod  of  Western  New  York.  In  1881  the  six 
synods  of  New  York  State  were  consolidated  into  the  Synod  of 
New  York. 

The  existing  churches  of  Steuben  Presbytery  have  belonged  at 
different  periods  to  six  presbyteries — Geneva,  Bath,  Angelica,  Che- 
mung, Genesee  Valley,  and  Steuben.  It  will  be  necessary  to  sketch 
each  of  these  in  order. 


GENEVA  PRESBYTERY  (1805-1817). 
Steuben  Presbytery  churches  dating  back  of  the  formation  of 
Bath  Presbytery  in  1817,  excepting  Cohocton,  were  enrolled  in 
Geneva  Presbytery.  As  constituted  by  General  Assembly  in  1805  it 
comprised  four  ministers  and  eight  churches.  The  ministers  were 
Jedediah  Chapman,  Geneva;  John  Lindsley,  Ovid;  Samuel  Leacock, 
Gorham  (Hopewell);  and  Jabez  Chadwick,  Milton  (Genoa).  The 
churches  were  Geneva,  Gorham  (Hopewell),  Ovid  (became  Dutch 
Reformed  in  1806),  Seneca  (now  Ovid),  Romulus,  Ulysses,  1st  (Tru- 
mansburg),  Ulysses  2d  (Ithaca),  and  Geneseo  (Lakeville).  The  first 
meeting  of  presbytery  was  at  Geneva  Sept.  17,  1805.  All  the  min- 
isters were  present  except  Leacock,   who  is  believed  to  have  died 


4  GENEVA     PRESBYTERY. 

about  this  time.  Among  the  seven  elders  present  was  Jabish  Ha- 
vens, afterwards  an  elder  in  the  Pnlteney  Church.  Among  the  four 
corresponding  members  was  the  Rev.  David  Higgins,  afterwards 
pastor  of  the  Bath  Church.  Eev.  David  Higgins  preached  the  ser- 
mon and  Eev.  Jedediah  Chapman  offered  the  constituting  prayer. 
The  bounds  of  Geneva  Presbytery  to  1810  included  all  New  York 
State  west  of  Oneida  and  Chenango  Counties.  During  this  period 
the  following  additional  churches  were  enrolled:  1805 — Newtown 
and  Chemung  (Elmira — extinct  in  1810);  1806 — Milton  (Genoa) 
and  Caledonia;  1807 — Onondaga  (Syracuse);  1808 — Junius  (Seneca 
Falls)  and  East  Palmyra;  1810 — Hector  and  Onondaga  Hollow. 

In  October,  1810,  the  Synod  of  Albany  restricted  Geneva  Presby- 
tery to  that  part  of  the  State  west  of  Cayuga  Lake.  The  following 
churches  still  belonged  to  it:  Geneva,  Gorham  (Hopewell),  Romu- 
lus, Seneca  (Ovid),  Hector,  Ulysses  1st  (Trumansburg),  Ulysses  2d 
(Ithaca),  Junius  (Seneca  Falls),  East  Palmyra,  Geneseo  (Lakeville), 
and  Caledonia.  Before  Bath  Presbytery  was  formed  the  following 
additional  churches  had  been  enrolled:  Sept.  18,  1811 — Bath, 
Lyons,  and  Benton;  Aug.  19,  1812 — Angelica,  Alfred  (Almond), 
and  Painted  Post  (Corning);  1813 — Sodus,  Phelps,  Livonia, 
Honeyoye,  West  Bloomfield,  Orangeville  (Attica),  Warsaw,  Pratts- 
BURG,  and  Huron  (Port  Bay);  1814 — Geneseo,  Augusta  (Rushville), 
Gurham,  Penfield,  Junius  2d,  Pittsford,  Elmira  1st,  and  Wayne; 
1815 — Naples,  LeRoy,  Parma  (Ogden),  and  Galen  (Clyde);  1816 — 
Gates  1st  (Rochester  1st),  Buffalo  1st,  South  Bristol,  and  Perry; 
1817 — Mt.  Morris,  Lewiston,  Hamburg  1st,  Pomfret  (Fiedonia), 
and  Palmyra.  There  was  a  time,  therefore,  when  Bath,  Angelica, 
Almond,  Corning,  and  Prattsburg  met  in  presbytery  Elmira,  Ge- 
neva, Rochester,  and  Buffalo. 

Rev.  David  Higgins  was  enrolled  in  Geneva  Presbytery  at  its  first 
meeting,  but  its  division  in  1810  took  him  into  Auburn  Presbytery. 
Installed  pastor  of  the  Bath  Church  at  a  special  meeting  July  11, 
1813,  he  again  became  a  member  of  Geneva  Presbytery.  The  first 
mention  of  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin  in  Geneva  Presbytery  minutes 
is  as  a  corresponding  member  at  a  meeting  held  in  Milton  (Genoa) 
in  1806.  He  was  installed  as  a  Congregational  pastor  at  Prattsburg 
in  1809  and  enrolled  in  Geneva  Presbytery  in  1813.  Nov.  5,  1811 
there  was  a  special  meeting  of  Geneva  Presbytery  at  Bath  to  con- 
sider certain  difficulties  arising  in  the  change  from  a  Congregatiotial 
to  a  Presbyterian  church.  Presbytery  strongly  recommended  the 
church  to  become  fully  Presbytei'ian,  and  very  soon  elders  were 
ordained.  A  special  meeting  was  held  at  Angelica,  Aug.  19,  1812. 
The  Angelica  and  Almond  churches  were  enrolled  with  Moses  Van- 
Campen  as  elder,  and  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard  ordained  and  installed 
over  these  two  churches.  .The  Painted  Post  (Corning)  Church  was 
enrolled  with  James  Fulton  as  elder,  and  arrangements  made  to 
install  Rev.  Clement  Hickman  pastor.  There  were  present  Revs. 
David  Tuller,  West  Bloomfield;  Olive  Ayer,  East  Bloomfield;  John 
Niles,  Bath;  William  Clark,  Seneca  (Ovid);  Charles  Moshcr,  Rom- 


Rev.  GEORGE  R.  RUDD,  Prattsburg.  Rev.  HENRY  H.  SPALDING.  Prattsburg. 


Rev.  LEVERETT  HULL,  Angelica. 


Rev.  ROBERT  E.  WILLSON,  Hammondsport. 


Rev.  SAMUEL  M.  HOPKINS,  D.  D.,  Corning.  Rg^    BENJAMIN  C.  SMITH,  Prattsburg. 


QBIfEVA    PRESBYTERY.  5 

ulus;  Henry  Axtell,  Geneva;  and  James  H.  Hotchkin,  Prattsburg; 
with  elders,  Henry  A.  Townsend,  Bath;  Moses  VanCampen,  An- 
gelica; and  James  Fulton,  Painted  Post  (Corning).  From  Angelica 
the  members  of  resbytery  must  have  proceeded  directly  to  Painted 
Post  (Corning),  for  at  a  meeting  there  Aug.  25,  1812,  Rev.  Clement 
Hickman  was  installed  pastor  of  that  church,  and  the  same  minis- 
ters, excepting  Rev.  John  Niles,  were  present.  This  pastoral  rela- 
tionship was  dissolved  Sept.  10,  1816.  In  1818  Rev.  Silas  Hubbard, 
afterwards  a  minister  of  the  Andover  Church,  was  installed  pastor 
of  the  Warsaw  and  Orangeville  (Attica)  Churches.  The  only  stated 
meeting  of  Geneva  Presbytery  held  within  the  bounds  of  Steuben 
Presbytery  was  at  Bath  in  1814.  The  stated  clerks  of  Geneva  Pres- 
bytery for  this  period  were,  Rev.  Jabez  Chadwick,  Milton  (Genoa), 
1805-7;  Rev.  David  Higgins,  Aurelius,  1807-10;  and  Rev.  Henry 
Axtell,  Geneva,  1810-17. 


THE  MINISTERS  OF  QENEVA  PRESBYTERY  FROM  1805  TO  1817. 

NOTE.— Capitals  indicate  ministers  and  churches  within  the  territory  of  present  Steuben 
Presbytery;  p— pastor;  ss— stated  supply;  s— transferred  by  synod;  1— by  letter;  d— death- 
o— ordination;  sd — suspended  and  deposed ;  r— restored.  ' 


NAMES. 


FIELD. 


RECEIVED. 


DISMISSED. 


Jedediah  Chapman,  D.  D. 
John  Lindsley. 

Jabez  Chadwick. 

Garrit  Mandeville. 
David  Higgins. 
Hezekiah  N.  Woodruff. 
Benjamin  Bell 
Charles  Mosher. 

Dirck  C.  Lansing. 
Oliver  Ayer. 
Alexander  Denoon. 
Howell  R.  Powell. 
Ezekiel  J.  Chapman. 
John  Stuart. 

John  Davenport. 
Joseph  Merrill. 
Aaron  C.  Collins. 

William  Clark. 

JOHN  NILES. 
David  Tuller. 
Reuben  Parmelee. 
Henry  Axtell. 
Hippocrates  Rowe 
ROBERT  HUBBARD. 
CLEMENT  HICKMAN. 
JAMES  H.  HOTCHKIN. 
Silas  Hubbard. 
Darius  A.  Griswold. 
DAVID  HIGGINS. 
Francis  Pomeroy. 
Eleazar  Fairbanks. 
Moses  Young. 
Lyman  Barrett. 
Shipley  Wells. 
Ebenezer  Lazell 
Andrew  Rawson. 
Ebenezer  Fitch,  D.  D. 
Comfort  Williams. 
Hezekiah  Woodruff. 
Miles  P.  Squier. 
Stephen  Porter. 
Howell  R.  Powell 
Hugh  Wallis. 


Geneva,  p 

Ovid,  p 

Geneseo  (Lakeville).  p 

Milton  (Genoa),  p 

Onondaga,  p 

Ulysses  1st  and  2d.  p 

Aurelius.  p 

East  Palmyra,  ss 
Romulus,  p 
Phelps,  p 
Onondaga,  p 
East  Bloomfleld.  ss 
Caledonia,  p 
Phelps,  ss 
Lima,  p 
Seneca  Falls,  p 
Lyons,  ss 

Hopewell  and  Rushville. 

East  Bloomfleld.  ss 

Livonia,  ss 

Ovid  and  Hector,  p 

Huron,  p 

BATH,  p 

West  Bloomfleld.  ss 

Geneva,  p 
East  Palmyra,  p 
ANGELICA  &  ALMOND,  p 
Pi^INTED  POST  (Corning)p 
PRATTSBURG.  p 
Warsaw,  p 
East  Bloomfleld.  p 
BATH,  p 
Lyons,  p 

Romulus,  p 
Naples,  p 
Seneca  Falls,  ss 

South  Bristol,  ss 
West  Bloomfleld.  p 
Rochester  1st.  p 
Elmira  1st.  p 
Buffalo  1st.  p 
Ovid  and  Hector,  p 

Pembroke,  ss 


s  Sept.  17,  1805 

s  Sept.  17,  1806 

s  Sept.  17,  1805 

1  Sept.  17,  1805 

I  Sept.  18,  1805 

I  Sept.  18,  1806 
I         July  2,  1807 

o  Aug.  18,  1807 

0  Dec.  2,  1807  s 

1  June  29,  1808  1 
o  Aug.  17,  1808 


d  May  22,  1813 

8  Feb.  21,  1811 

s  1810 

s  1810 

s  1810 

s  1810 

1  Sept.  18.  1811 


Aug.  17,  1808 
Aug.  17.  1808 
Aug.  24 

Mar.  14,  1810 
June  26,  1810 
Apr.  16,  1811 

1        Apr.  17,  1811 


Sept.  17, 

July  7, 

July  7, 

July  8, 

July  8. 

Aug.  20, 

Aug.  25, 

Apr.  22, 

Apr.  22, 

Apr.  22, 

Apr.  22, 

Apr.  20, 

Sept.  22, 

Mar.  7, 

June  20, 

Aug.  9, 

Aug.  10, 

Oct.  10. 

Nov.  22, 

.Ian.  16, 

Feb.  16, 

May  3, 

Aug.  13, 

Feb.  12, 

Feb.  19, 


1811 

1812 
1812 
1812 
1812 
1812 
1812 
1813 
1813 
1813 
1813 
1814 
1814 
1816 
1815 
1815 
1815 
1815 
1815 
181« 
1816 
1816 
1816 
1817 
1817 


sd 


sd 


1810 
Feb.  22,  1815 
Feb.  21,  1817 
Sept  10,  1816 
Feb.  21,  1817 

Sept.  22.  1813 
1810 


s       Feb.  21.  1817 


Sept.  IS,  1812 
Feb.  21,  1817 
Feb.  21,  1817 

Feb.  81,  1817 
Feb.  21,  1817 
Feb.  21,  1817 
Feb.  21,  1817 
Feb.  21,  1817 
1  Aug.  10,  1815 
Feb.  21,  1817 


Feb.  21, 
Aug.  15, 
Feb.  21, 
Feb.  21, 
Feb.  21, 
Feb.  21, 
Feb.  21, 
Feb.  21, 


1817 
1816 
1817 
1817 
1817 
1817 
1817 
1817 


s   Feb.  21,  1817 


S  BATH     PRESBYTERY. 

BATH  PRESBYTERY  (1817-1862). 
**  Bath"  and  "  Steuben"  are  different  names  for  the  same  pres- 
bytery. For  convenience  they  will  be  treated  as  if  separate  bodies. 
The  Presbytery  of  Bath  was  constituted  at  Geneva  Feb.  21,  1817, 
by  the  Synod  of  Geneva  setting  off  from  Geneva  Presbytery  the 
churches  and  ministers  within  Steuben,  Allegany,  and  Tioga  (Pa.) 
counties,  together  with  Rev.  Ebenezer  Lazel  and  Rev.  Lyman  Bar- 
rett, and  the  Naples  Church.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  Pratts- 
burg  Mar.  18,  1817,  Rev.  David  Higgins  preaching  from  Prov.  4:9, 
"  She  shall  give  to  thine  head  an  ornament  of  grace".  There  were 
present  at  that  first  meeting  6  ministers  and  3  elders:  Ministers — 
David  Higgins,  Bath.  Ebenezer  Lazel,  Pulteney,  James  H.  Hotch- 
kin,  Prattsburg,  Robert  Hubbard,  Angelica  and  Almond,  Lyman 
Barrett,  Naples,  and  Hezekiah  Woodruff,  Elmira;  Elders— Ranvy 
A.  Townsend,  Bath,  Jesse  Waldo,  Prattsburg,  and  Christopher 
Hurlbut,  Alfred  (Almond)  and  Angelica.  Rev.  Clement  Hickman 
was  absent  and  the  churches  not  represented  by  elders  were  Elmira, 
Wayne,  Naples,  and  Painted  Post  (Corning). 

The  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Religion  presented  to  presbytery  at 
Southport,  Jan.  27,  1825,  by  Rev.  David  Higgins.  reviews  the  situa- 
tion: 

"The  little  church  at  South  Dansville  has  become  nearly  ex- 
tinct. *  *  *  Those  at  Olean  and  Ossian  are  feeble  and  have  little 
more  than  a  bare  existence.  At  Black  Creek  the  church  has  a  little 
strength  and  gives  encouragement.  *  *  *  The  church  at  Angelica  is 
favored  with  the  prospect  of  some  additions.  *  *  *  Howard,  though 
small,  yet  firm.  *  *  *  Cohocton  is  weak  and  feeble  but  are  exerting 
themselves  in  a  commendable  manner  in  the  support  of  their  minis- 
ter. *  *  *  In  Prattsburg  the  church  appears  to  be  waking  from  a 
long  sleep.  *  *  *  Pulteney  is  in  more  harmony  than  usual.  *  *  * 
Bath  is  in  its  usual  state  of  slow  progression  and  small  increase. 
Wayne  has  been  favored  with  a  few  instances  of  hopeful  conversion. 
*  *  *  In  Reading  (Starkey)  a  few  members  have  been  added.  Cath- 
erine and  Reading  (Reading)  though  small  and  feeble  observes  stated 
meetings  when  they  have  no  preaching.  Mead's  Creek  is  rising  in 
numbers  and  exertion.  Painted  Post  (Corning)  has  a  small  circle 
of  sisters  who  keep  up  a  prayer  meeting,  a  society  for  the  aid  of 
missionary  purposes,  and  a  Sabbath  School  for  children.  Elmira 
shows  some  attention  to  serious  subjects,  counterbalanced  by  a  great 
and  general  stupidity.  Southport  is  not  favored  with  any  revival. 
In  Naples  we  learn  there  is  great  religious  excitement". 

Almond  alone  was  not  mentioned.  The  apportionment  of  $240 
for  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  Aug.  28,  1 828,  gives  an 
idea  of  the  relative  strength  of  the  churches  then  in  Presbytery: 
$35,  Prattsburg;  $25,  Elmira;  $20,  Wayne;  $16,  Bath;  $12,  Star- 


BATH    PRESBYTERY.  7 

key;  $10,  Almond,  Angelica,  Howard  1st,  Naples,  Painted  Post 
(Corning),  Pulteney,  and  Southport;  $8,  Cohocton,  and  Big  Flats; 
$6,  Black  Creek,  Mead's  Creek,  Ossian,  and  Wheeler;  $5,  Allen, 
Andover,  Howard  2d,  and  Reading;  $3,  Olean;  0,  Bennett's  Creek, 
and  South  Dansville. 

The  bounds  of  presbytery  extending  from  Elmira  to  Olean,  and 
horse-back  being  the  best  method  of  traveling,  presbytery  petitioned 
Geneva  Synod  to  set  off  the  Allegany  County  churches  and  minis- 
ters into  a  new  presbytery  to  be  called  Angelica  Presbytery.  Synod 
at  Syracuse,  Oct.  7,  1828,  granted  the  request.  This  action  took 
out  of  Bath  Presbytery  4  ministers  and  0  churches. 

From  18H0  to  1834  was  a  period  of  revivals  and  rapid  expansion. 
During  this  period  the  following  churches  were  enrolled:  Barring- 
ton,  Campbell,  Hanimondsport,  Hornby,  Kennedyville  (Kanona), 
Wells  (Pa.),  Horseheads,  Plainville,  Mansfield  (Pa.),  Addison,  Cat- 
lin.  Erwin,  Painted  Post  2d  (Caton),  Lawrenceville  (Pa.),  Havana, 
Woodliull,  Troupsburg,  and  Hornellsville.  The  Bennett's  Creek 
Church  was  divided  into  two  churches — Greenwood  with  17  mem- 
bers, and  Jasper  with  24  members.  Presbytery  meetings  during 
this  period  were  largely  attended.  At  Painted  Post,  Jan.  28,  1834, 
there  were  present  13  ministers  and  23  elders.  At  the  next  annual 
meeting,  Bath,  Aug.  26,  1834,  17  ministers  and  23  elders  were 
present — among  the  elders  Marcus  Whitman,  M.  D.,  from  the 
Wheeler  Church.  At  the  meeting  in  Campbell,  Jan.  27,  1835,  47 
were  in  attendance — 25  ministers  and  22  elders.  Upon  petition  of 
presbytery  the  Synod  of  Geneva,  meeting  at  Penn  Yan,  Oct.  5, 
'1836,  set  off  the  churches  and  ministers  south  of  the  south  line  of 
the  towns  of  Hornellsville,  Howard,  Bath,  Tyrone,  and  Reading 
into  a  new  presbytery  called  the  Presbytery  of  Chemung.  This 
action  took  out  of  Bath  Presbytery  17  ministers  and  20  churches. 
Included  in  this  number  were  the  churches  of  Campbell,  Hornby, 
Jasper,  Painted  Post  1st  (Corning),  Addison,  and  Woodhull. 

A  special  meeting  was  held  at  Kennedyville  (Kanona),  July  25, 
1837,  "  for  the  purpose  of  deliberating  and  acting  on  a  circular 
addressed  to  those  who  feel  themselves  aggrieved  by  some  of  the 
acts  of  the  late  General  Assembly".  The  following  resolutions  were 
adopted  by  a  yea  and  nay  vote — Rev.  Isaac  W.  Piatt,  Bath,  and 
^Ider  Lewis  Biles,  Bath,  dissenting: 

"  Whereas,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  their  late  meeting  in  Philadelphia  did  declare  that  the  synods  of 
Utica,  Geneva,  and  Genesee  were  out  of  the  constitutional  connec- 
tion of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  did  exclude  the  commissioners 
of  the  presbyteries  belonging  to  these  synods  from  any  participation 
in  the  deliberations  and  decisions  of  that  body;  therefore, 


8  BATH   PRESBYTEKY. 

"  Resolved,  as  the  sense  of  this  presbytery,  that  the  aforesaid  act 
of  the  General  Assembly  is  at  war  with  the  principles  of  Presbyterian 
government,  unconstitutional,  and  void,  and  ought  not  to  be  recog- 
nized by  any  judicatory  or  officer  of  the  Presbyterian  Church;  *  *  * 

'*  Resolved,  that  the  General  Assembly,  in  announcing  as  a  special 
reason  for  their  immediate  action  on  this  subject,  the  prevalence  of 
gross  disorders  in  the  synods  so  exscinded,  without  specifying  those 
disorders,  or  giving  the  synods  any  opportunity  to  answer  the  charges, 
has  acted  in  a  most  precipitate  and  unconstitutional  manner,  con- 
trary to  all  the  usages  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  affording  a 
just  ground  of  complaint  to  all  the  churches,  ministers,  and  presby- 
teries belonging  to  these  synods;  *  *  * 

"  Resolved,  that  we  approve  of  the  propositions  contained  in  a 
circular  from  Rev.  James  Richards,  D.  D.,  and  others,  for  a  con- 
vention of  the  representatives  of  the  aggrieved  presbyteries  and 
others  who  can  act  with  them  in  sentiment  and  feeling,  to  be  held 
as  Auburn,  Aug.  17th  next;  *  *  * 

"Resolved,  that  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin,  Rev.  B.  Foster  Pratt, 
and  Elam  Bridges,  Prattsburg,  and  Daniel  I.  Benton,  Pulteney,  be 
the  commissioners  of  this  presbytery  to  the  Convention". 

The  ultimate  result  was  that  Bath  Presbytery  became  a  part  of 
the  New  School  Presbyterian  Church.  The  only  change  within 
presbytery  was  that  at  once  the  Bath  Church,  with  Revs.  Isaac  W. 
Piatt,  and  Daniel  Washburn,  and  later  the  Cameron  Church,  with- 
drew to  the  Susquehanna  (Old  School)  Presbytery.  A  New  School 
church  was  at  once  organized  in  Bath  which  survived  until  reunion 
in  1870. 

In  1857  there  were  15  ministers  and  18  churches  in  Bath  Presby- 
tery. The  Jasper  Church,  upon  its  own  petition  to  Synod,  had 
been  restored  to  Bath  Presbytery  in  1 847.  After  several  unsuccessful 
attempts  to  enlarge  its  boundaries,  the  Synod  of  Geneva,  at  Elmira, 
Sept.  30,  1862,  restored  to  Bath  Presbytery  all  the  South  Steuben 
ministers  and  churches  enrolled  in  Chemung  Presbytery — at  the 
same  time  changing  the  name  to  that  of  the  Presbytery  of  Steuben. 
The  last  meeting  under  the  name  of  Bath  Presbytery  was  at  Hor- 
nellsrille,  June  17,  1863.  There  were  present  7  ministers  and  10 
elders. 

Bath  Presbytery  acted  fewer  times  and  less  radically  on  the  tem- 
perance question  than  Angelica  Presbytery.  In  1852  the  following 
action  was  recorded: 

"Resolved,  as  the  sense  of  this  presbytery,  that  a  law  similar  in 
its  general  features  to  that  recently  enacted  in  the  State  of  Maine, 
prohibiting  the  sale  of  all  intoxicating  drinks  as  a  beverage,  would 
be  an  immense  blessing  to  the  people  of  this  State". 

Some  action  was  taken  against  secret  societies.  Aug.  28,  1828, 
the  Mead's  Creek  Church  asked  advice  with  regard  to  Free  Masonry, 
and  Presbytery  answered  in  the  following  resolution: 


BATH    PRESBYTERY.  9 

"Resolved,  that  this  presbytery,  in  view  of  all  the  light  that  has 
been  exhibited  on  the  subject  of  speculative  Free  Masonry,  cannot 
but  view  the  institution  as  hostile  to  the  interests  of  the  Church  of 
Christ,  and  that  they  consider  it  the  duty  of  Christians  entirely  to 
abandon  the  institution". 

Kev.  Loren  W.  Russ,  pastor  of  the  Bath  2d  Church,  was  rebuked 
in  1847  for  having  joined  the  Odd  B^ellows,  and  counseled  to  with- 
draw. In  1848  Angelica  Presbytery  requested  Bath  Presbytery  to 
proceed  against  Russ  for  having  advocated  secret  societies  within 
the  bounds  of  Angelica  Presbytery — especially  in  Almond  where 
the  session  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  had  taken  strong  grounds 
against  secret  societies.  Rev.  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D.,  represented 
Angelica  Presbytery.  Before  Bath  Presbytery  preferred  formal 
charges,  Russ  withdrew  into  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
and  his  name  was  removed  from  the  roll. 

In  the  early  years  of  presbytery  especially  much  time  was  given 
to  the  consideration  of  discipline.  Three  members  of  Bath  Presby- 
tery were  deposed  from  the  ministry.  One  of  these.  Rev.  Charles 
Yale,  after  ten  years  persistent  petitioning,  was  restored.  July  15, 
1856,  presbytery  met  at  Prattsburg  to  consider  charges  impeaching 
the  doctrinal  soundness  of  Rev.  Benjamin  C.  Smith,  pastor  of  the 
Prattsburg  Church,  and  stated  clerk  of  presbytery.  The  accused 
minister  asked  permission  to  present  his  views  to  presbytery  in  a 
sermon.  The  permission  was  granted  and  he  preached  from  Rom. 
6:11.  Those  for  and  against  him  were  heard  and  presbytery  coun- 
seled moderation.  After  all  was  over  Smith  declared  that  his  ser- 
mon was  really  Chalmers'  32d  Lecture  on  Romans.  Several  thought 
this  to  be  contempt  of  presbytery  and  Jan.  13,  1857,  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  confer  with  Smith.  Feb.  11,  1857,  the  committee 
reported  to  presbytery  that  Smith  had  nothing  to  say.  Before  pres- 
bytery adjourned  a  spicy  letter  from  Smith  to  presbytery  was  read 
which  occupies  18  pages  in  presbytery's  minutes.  June  30,  1857, 
four  charges  were  preferred  against  Smith — slander,  misrepresenta- 
tion of  presbytery's  motives,  deception  in  using  Chalmer's  Lecture 
as  his  own,  and  contumacy.  Aug.  31,  1857,  presbytery  met  for 
trial,  but  the  case  happily  was  settled — both  presbytery  and  Smith 
confessing  to  needless  mistrust  and  haste. 

The  first  church  of  the  Oregon  Territory  was  associated  by  its 
founders  witli  Bath  Presbytery.  During  August,  1838,  Rev.  Henry 
H.  Spalding  and  wife,  with  their  little  child,  visited  their  nearest 
white  neiglibors,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Marcus  Whitman,  110  miles  away. 
During  that  visit,  Aug.  18,  1838,  the  first  Presbyterian  church  of 
Oregon  Territory  was  organized  with  6  members.  The  following 
minute  was  entered  in  the  record  book  kept  by  Spalding:     "  H.  II, 


10  BATH    PRESBYTEEY. 

Spalding  was  elected  jDastor  and  Doct.  Marcus  Whitman  (a  ruling 
elder  from  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Wheeler,  N.  Y.)  ruling 
elder.  Resolved,  That  this  church  be  governed  on  the  Congrega- 
tional plan,  but  attached  to  the  Bath  Presbytery,  N.  Y.,  and  adopt 
its  form  of  confession  and  covenant  as  ours,"  No  mention  of  this 
church  has  been  found  in  the  records  of  presbytery.  Nor  has  it 
been  discovered  when,  if  at  all,  Spalding  was  dismissed  from  Batli 
Presbyterv.  One  further  extract  from  the  minutes  of  this  church 
will  be  of  interest:  "  Whole  No.  received  since  1836  into  First  P. 
Ch.,  Oregon,  961.  I  am  to-day,  Nov.  26,  '73,  70  years."  Spald- 
ing died  Aug.  3,  1874. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  stated  clerks:  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin, 
Prattsburg,  1817-30;  Rev.  George  R.  Rudd,  Prattsburg,  1830-36; 
Rev.  B.  Foster  Pratt,  Prattsburg,  1836-43;  Rev.  Robert  E.  Wilison, 
Hammondsport,  1843-52;  Rev.  Benjamin  C.  Smith,  Prattsburg, 
1852-56;  Rev.  S,  Mills  Day,  Hammondsport,  1856-57;  Rev.  Ho- 
ratio Pattengill,  D.  D.,  Hornellsville,  1857;  Rev.  Edwin  Benedict, 
Bath,  1857-58;  and  Rev.  Stephen  Vorhis,  Hammondsport,  1858-62. 

The  following  ministers  were  installed  and  released  at  the  places 
and  dates  given:  Hezekiah  Woodruff,  Elmira,  Feb.  16,  1816  (Ge- 
neva Presbytery) — Jan.  26,  1820;  Joseph  Crawford,  Reading 
(Starkey)  and  Wayne,  Feb.  14,  1821 — released  at  Reading  Feb.  26, 
1823,  and  at  Wayne  Apr.  29,  1829;  Charles  Yale,  Pulteney, 
Jan.  30,  1823— Aug.  31,  1825;  Samuel  White,  Reading  (Starkey), 
Sept.  28,  1825 — Feb.  17,  1831;  Robert  Hubbard,  Angelica, 
Aug.  20,  1812  (Geneva  Presbytery) — Oct.  4,  1826;  Lyman  Barrett, 
Naples,  June  20,  1815  (Geneva  Presbytery)— Oct.  4,  1826;  Moses 
Hunter,  Angelica,  Nov.  14,  1827 — Aug.  27,  1833  (Angelica 
Presbytery);  John  C.  Morgan,  Naples,  Aug.  27,  1829— Jan.  25, 
1831;  James  H.  Hotchkin,  Prattsburg,  Aug.  16,  1809  (Ontario 
Association)— Jan.  27,  1830;  George  R.  Rudd,  Prattsburg,  Mar. 
24,  1830— May  3,  1836;  Eleazar  Lathrop,  Elmira,  Oct.  19,  1830 — 
Aug.  31,  1831;  David  Higgins,  Bath,  July  1,  1813  (Geneva 
Presbytery)— June  21,  1831;  Isaac  W.  Platt,   Bath,   Aug.  31, 

1831 1844  (Steuben  [Old  School]  Presbytery);  M.  L.  Parnsworth, 

Elmira,  Feb.  1,  1832— Oct.  30,  1834;  B.  Foster  Pratt,  Southport, 
Feb.  2,  1832 — Apr.   15,   1834;  Ethan  Pratt,  Horse  Heads,  Apr,  3, 

1833 Nov.   4,   1835;  James  H.  Hotchkin,  Wheeler,  Sept.  17, 

1833— Feb.  17,  1835;  John  Frost,  Elmira,  Nov.  4,  1835— Feb,  5, 
1839  (Chemung  Presbytery);  David  I.  Perry,  Big  Flats,  Feb.  2, 
l836_Sept.  .18,  1838  (Chemung  Presbytery);  John  Gray,  Catlin, 
Sept.  14,  1836 — Feb.  5,  1839  (Chemung  Presbytery);  B.Foster 
Pratt,  Prattsburg,  Jan,  31,  1838— Aug.  31,  1841;  Robert  E. 
Willson,  Hammondsport,   Dec,  12,   1838 — Nov.  11,  1851;  John 


Rev.  L.  MERRILL  MILLER,  D.  D.,  Bath.  r^^    HORATIO  PATTENGILL.  D.  D  ,  Hornellsville 


Rev.  JOHN  W.  LANE,  Centerville. 


Rev.TYRELL  BLAIR.  Angelica. 


Rev.  GEORGE  D.  STEWART,  D.  D..  Bath.  Rev.  S.  MILLS  DAY.  Hammondsport. 


BATH  PKESBYTERY.  11 

W.  HoPKixs,  Hqenellsville,  Nov.  13, 1839— Feb.  4,  1841  (died); 
Oris  Fraser,  Bath  2d,  Jan.  27,  1841— May.  16,  1843;  George  T. 
Everest,  Naples,  Sept.  13,  1842— Aug.  26,  1846;  Benjamin  C. 
Smith,  Prattsburg,  Apr.  9,  1844 — June  29,  1859;  Samuel 
White,  Pulteney,  Apr.  10,  1844 — Oct.  1,  1852;  Loren  W.  Russ, 
Bath  2d,  Nov.  11,  1845— May  16,  1848;  George  T.  Everest, 
Jasper,  Dec.  7,  1847 — June  28,  1853;  George  Hood,  Bath  2d, 
Sept.  19,  1848 — June  26,  1850;  Benjamin  Russell,  Tyrone,  Jan. 
16,  1850^ — Aug.  23,  1854;  HoRATio  Pattengill,  D.  D.,  Hor- 
nellsville,  Feb.  13,  1850 — Sept.  1,  1857;  S.  Mills  Day,  Ham- 
MONDSPORT,  June  30,  1852 — Mar.  31,  1857;  George  Spalding, 
Canisteo,  Feb.  7,  1854— June  19,  1860;  Benjamin  F.  Millard,  Na- 
ples, Feb.  21,  1854 — June  26,  1855;  and  David  D.  Gregory, 
Prattsburg,  Oct.  26,  1859 — June  13,   1865  (Steuben  Presbytery). 

The  following  churches  belonged  to  Bath  Presbytery  for  the 
years  named:  Prattsburg,  1817-62;  Bath,  1817-37;  Painted 
Post  1st  (Corning),  1817-36;  Almond,  1817-28;  Angelica,  1817- 
28;  Elmira,  1817-36;  Pulteney,  1817-62;  Reading  (Starkey) 
1817-62;  Wayne,  1817-62;  Reading  and  Catherine  (Reading), 
1819-46;  Naples,  1817-62;  Ossian,  1820-28;  South  Dansville, 
1820-60;  Howard,  1820-62;  Cohocton,  1821-62;  Elmira  2d 
(Southport),  1822-36;  Black  Creek  (Haight),  1822-28;  Clean, 
1822-28;  Mead's  Creek,  1824-36;  Wheeler,  1825-62;  Dansville, 
1825-27;  Howard  2d,  1826-40  (united  with  South  Dansville); 
Bennett's  Creek,  1826-30  (divided  into  Greenwood  and  Jasper); 
Allen,  1826-28;  Big  Flats,  1828-36;  Greenwood,  1830-36;  Jas- 
per. 1830-36, 1847-62;  Painted  Post  2d  (Caton),  1830-36;  Law- 
renceville,  1830-36;  Havana,  1830-36;  Barrington,  1830-42;  Camp- 
bell, 1831-36;  Hammondsport,  1832-62;  Hornby,  1832-36; 
Kennedyville  (Kanona),  1832-62;  Woodhull,  1832-36;  Wells, 
1832-36;  Horse  Heads,  1832-36:  Plainville,  1832-36;  Mansfield, 
1832-36;  Addison,  1833-36;  Troupsburg,  1833-36;  Hornells- 
viLLE,  1834-62;  Catllii,  1834-36;  Erwin,  1834-36;  Elkland,  1835- 
36;  Tyrone,  1832-62;  Bath  2d,  1838-62;  Starkey  2d  (Dundee), 
1836-62;  Starkey  3d  (Rock  Stream),  1833-62;  Cameron,  1843-51 
(became  Old  School);  Wayland,  1852-58;  Canisteo,  1853-62; 
and  Eddytown,  1862. 

Bath  Presbytery  belonged  to  Geneva  Synod.  Associated  with  it 
in  Geneva  Synod  were  the  presbyteries  of  Geneva,  Cayuga,  Onon- 
daga, Cortland,  Chenango,  Angelica  (1828-34),  Tioga,  Delaware 
(1831-40),  Ithaca,  and  Pennsylvania.  Presbytery  reported  to  Gen- 
eral Assembly  1,094  communicants  in  1830,  853  in  1840,  1,526  in 
1850,  and  1,305  in  1860. 


12 


BATH     PRESBYTERY. 

THE  MINISTERS  OF  BATH  PRESBYTERY. 


NOTE.— Capitals  indicate  the  ministers  and  churches  Icnown  to  have  been  within  the 
territory  of  present  Steuben  Presbytery;  s— transferred  by  synod;  1— by  letter;  o— ordina- 
tion: os— Old  School;  p— pastor;  s  s--stated  supply;  t— teacher;  f  m— foreign  missionary; 
e— erased  from  roll;  sd— suspended  and  deposed;  r— restored;  h  r— honorably  retired; 
d— death.  Small  capitals  in  the  body  of  the  work  (beginning  at  page  10)  indicate  the 
same  as  capitals  in  this  list  of  ministers. 

NAMES.  FIELD.  RECEIVED.  DISMISSED. 


DAVID  HIGGINS. 

BATH. p 
CORNING,  ss 

s       Mar.  18,  1817 

Big  Flats  ss 

1        Aug.  29,  1837 

JAMES  H.  HOTCHKIN. 

PRATTSBURG.  p 

s       Mar.  18.  1817 

1         Feb.  24,  1830 

EBENRZER  LAZEL. 

PULTENEY.  ss 

s       Mar.  18,  1817 

1          Sept.  1,  1819 

ROBERT  HUBBARD. 

ALMOND  &  ANGELICA,  p 

s       Mar.  18,  1817 

s          Oct.  7, 1828 

Lyman  Barrett. 

Naples,  p 
KANONA.  ss 

s       Mar.  18,  1817 

1        Aug.  28,  1838 

Hezekiah  Woodruff 

Elmira.  p 

s       Mar.  18.  1817 

sd      Feb.  28,  1822 

CLEMENT  HICKMAN. 

s       Mar.  18,  1817 

d                      1817 

JOSEPH  CRAWFORD. 

WAYNE   p 

o       Feb.  14,  1821 

1         Jan.  28,  1835 

Henry  Ford. 

Elmira.  ss 

1         Jan  .30,  1822 

1        Aug.  31.  18:j0 

CHARLES  YALE. 

PULTENEY.  p 

0       Jan.  30.  1823 

sd        Feb.  1,  1826 

STALHAM  CLARY. 

PULTENEY.  ss 

I        Aug.  3',  1824 

1        Aug.  31,  1830 

BERIAH  HOTCHKIN. 

PULTENEY.  ss 

1        Nov.  16,  1824 

1829 

SAMUEL  WHITE. 

Reading,  p 

I       Sept.  27,  182.5 

PULTENEY.  p 

s       Sept.  30,  1862 

Ebenezer  Lazel. 

1        Aug.  30,  1836 

1828 

DAVID  HARROWAR. 

CORNING  and  Southport.ss 

1        Aug.  28,  1827 

s           Oct.  5,  1836 

REUBEN  HURD. 

BLACK  CREEK,  ss 

1       Sept.  19,  1827 

s           Oct.  7,  1828 

MOSES  HUNTER. 

ANGELICA,  p 

1        Nov.  14.  1827 

s           Oct.  7,  1828 

SILAS  HUBBARD. 

ANDOVER.  ss 

1        Nov.  l.-),  1827 

s           Oct.  7,  1828 

Eleazar  Lathrop. 

Elmira.  p 

1         Jan.  29,  1828 

d              Feb.  18:J4 

GEORGE  HO-RNELL, 

o       Feb.  24,  1828 

1         Feb.  24,  1828 

John  C.  Morgan. 

Naples,  p 

0      Aug.  27,  1829 

1        Aug.  31,  1831 

Merit  C.  Harmon. 

Big  Flats,  ss 

1        Jan.  26,  1830 

1         Jan.  28,  1835 

GEORGE  R.  RUDD. 

PRATTSBURG.  p 

1        Mar.  2.S.  1830 

1           May  3,  1836 

Linus  W.  Billington. 

Big  Flats,  ss 

o       Feb.  24,  1830 

Starkey.  ss 

1         Jan.  28,  1834 

BENJAMIN  B.  SMITH. 

PULTENEY.  ss 

1       June  21,  1831 

1         July  25,  1837 

ISAAC  W.  PL  ATT. 

BATH. p 

1        Aug.  31,  1831 

OS      Jan.  30, 18.37 

Marshal  L.  Farnsworth. 

Elmira.  p 

I        Jan.  31,  18:32 

d                      1838 

B.  FOSTER  PRATT. 

Southport.  p 
Starkey.  ss 

I        Jan.  31,  1832 

PRATTSBURG  p 

1        Aug.  29,  1843 

Elijah  D.  vvells. 

1        Jan.  31,  1832 

1        Aug.  31,  1836 

Charles  Goodrich. 

1          Feb.  1.  18.32 

s          Oct.  5,  18,36 

Ethan  Pratt. 

Horse  Heads,  p 

1        Aug.  28,  1832 

s           Oct.  5,  1836 

Asa  Donalson. 

1        Aug.  28,  1832 

s          Oct.  0,  1836 

Daniel  Washburn. 

0       Aug.  29,  18.32 

OS                      1837 

James  Rowlett. 

Tyrone,  ss 
WHEELER,  p 

0       Aug.  29,  18.32 

1        Aug.  29,  1833 

JAMES  H.  HOTCHKIN. 

I        Aug.  27.  1833 

PULTENEY.  ss 

CAMPBELL,  ss 

PRATTSBURG.  hr 

d                       18.51 

OREN  JOHNSON. 

WOODHULL.  ss 

o       Sept  17,  1833 

s          Oct.  .5,  1836 

JEREMIAH  POMEROY. 

JASPER  &  WOODHULL.  ss 

1        Jan.  28,  1834 

William  Johnson. 

1        Jan.  28,  1834 

1         Jan.  28.  1835 

JOHN  BARTON. 

CORNING,  ss 

1        Jan.  28,  1834 

William  M.  Adams. 

1         Jan.  29,  1834 

s           Oct.  5,  1836 

Edwin  Bronson. 

1        Jan.  27,  1835 

1         Jan.  26,  183G 

Samuel  Schaffer. 

I        Jan.  27.  183.5 

1        Aug.  27,  1835 

John  Gray. 

Catlin.  p 

I        Jan.  27,  18.3.5 

Southport.  ss 

s          Oct.  5,  1836 

John  C.  Morgan. 

1        Jan.  27.  1835 

Henry  Boynton. 

1        Jan.  28,  ia35 

1        Aug.  29,  1837 

David  I.  Perry. 

Big  Flats,  p 

1        Jan.  28,  1835 

s          Oct.  5,  1836 

Egbert  Roosa. 

1        Aug.  25,  1835 

s          Oct.  5,  1836 

DANIEL  B.  BUTTS. 

ADDISON,  ss 

1         Aug.  27,  1835 

s          Oct.  5,  1836 

HENRY  H.  SPALDING. 

Oregon,  fm 

o       Aug.  27,  1835 

John  Frost. 

Elmira.  p 

1          Nov.  3,  1835 

s          Oct.  5,  1836 

Elijah  Buck. 

1        Jan.  26, 1836 

s          Oct.  5,  1836 

Charles  Yale 

r        Jan  27,  1836 

1         Jan.  30,  1838 

George  E.  Delevan. 

1        A\ig.  30,  1836 

1         Jan.  SO,  1838 

SAMUEL  T   BABBITT. 

PULTENEY.  ss 

1         Sept.  1,  1836 

1        Aug.  31,  1847 

George  tSpalding. 

]           Oct.  6,  1836 

1          Apr.  3,  18.38 

EBENEZER  EVERITT. 

KANONA.  ss 

1          Oct.  S,  1836 

1        Jan.  26, 1842 

James  Rowlett. 

Tyrone,  ss 

1        Jan.  30,  1838 

s       Sept.  30.  1862 

Samuel  Scott. 

1        Aug.  28,  18.38 

1           Feb.  1,  1843 

ROBERT  E.  WILLSON. 

HAMMONDSPORT.  p 

0        Dec.  12,  1838 

1        Nov.  11,  1861 

David  I.  Perry. 
JOHN  W.  HOPKINS. 

1        Jan  29,  1839 

1        Aug.  31,  1841 

HORNELLSVILLE.  p 

o       Nov.  13.  1839 

d         Feb.  9,  1841 

GEORGE  T.  EVEREST. 

Naples,  p 

0       Jan.  27,  1841 

JASPER,  p 

1        June  29,  18.53 

BATH  PRESBYTERY — ANGELICA    PRESBYTERY. 


13 


NAMES. 

FIELD. 

RECEIVED. 

DISMISSED. 

ORISFRASER. 

BATH  2d.  p 

o       Jan.  27. 1841 

1        Aug.  26,  1846 

WILLLIAM  GOODELL. 

HOWARD.  8S 

I         Feb.  10,  1841 

JOHN  SMITH 

CORNING,  ss 

1        Aug.  31,  1841 

d       June  17,  1869 

Oren  Johnson. 

1        Aug.  31, 1841 

1        Aug.  28, 1845 

Aaron  Judson. 

1         Sept.  1,  1841 

1         Jan.  30, 1844 

A  K.  Barr. 

1         Jan.  25,  1842 

1        Aug.  30,  1843 

Isaac  P.  Striker. 

o         Feb.  2,  1843 

1          Apr.  8,  1848 

JOHN  G.  L.  HASKINS. 

HOWARD.  S8 

1        Aug.  29,  1843 

sd      Jan.  IS,  1852 

BENJAMIN  C.  SMITH. 

PRATTSBURG.  p 

1          Apr.  8,  1844 

1        June  29,  1859 

Benjamin  Russell. 

Tyrone,  p 

1         Jan.  28,  1845 

1         Jan.  25, 1847 

LEVI  ROSE. 

HOWARD,  ss 

1        Aug.  26,  1845 

d                       1862 

LOREN  W.  RUSS. 

BATH  2d.  p 

O        Nov.  11,  1846 

e      Aug.  29,  1848 

Foster  Lilly. 

1        Aug.  85,  1846 

1           Feb.  4, 1851 

FLAVEL  S.  GAYLORD. 

PRATTSBURG.  t 

1            Oct.  4,  1847 

WHEELER,  ss 

d         Feb.  8,  1860 

Joseph  Strough. 

1        Aug.  29,  1848 

d                       1854 

Ethan  Pratt. 

I        Aug.  29,  1848 

1        June  25,  1850 

GEORGE  HOOD. 

BATH  2d.  p 

1        Sept.  19,  1848 

1        June  25, 1860 

Oris  Eraser. 

1        Aug.  26,  1849 

1         Jan   15,  1862 

Benjamin  Russell. 

1        Jan.  16, 1850 

1           Jan.  9,  18S5 

HOR.  PATTENGILL,  D.  D. 

HORNELLSVILLE.  p 

1        Feb.  13,  1850 

1         Jan.  14,  1862 

EDWIN  BENEDICT. 

BATH  2d.  ss 

1        June  28,  1852 

1         Oct.  29,  1858 

S.  MILLS  DAY. 

HAMMONDSPORT.  p 

o       June  30,  1852 

1         Mar.  13,  1867 

Benjamin  T.  Millard. 

Naples,  p 

1        Jan.  11,  1853 

1         Jan.  18, 1868 

David  F.  Judson. 

o        Jan.  12,  1C63 

s       Sept.  30,  1862 

GEORGE  SPALDING. 

CANISTEO.  p 

1        Aug.  24.  1853 

8       Sept.  30, 1862 

FRANCIS  V.  WARREN. 

PULTENEY.  ss 

1        June  2«,  1855 

1         Jan.  10,  1860 

Mills  B.  Gelston. 

Naples,  ss 

1        June  24,  1856 

s       Sept.  30,  1862 

A.  T.  Wood. 

1        June  24,  1856 

1        Jime  23,  1858 

WILLIAM  R.  DOWNS. 

HOWARD,  ss 

1        June  24,  1856 

1         Jan.  14,  1862 

CHARLES  T.  WHITE. 

South  India,  fm 

o          Oct.  1,  1856 

8       Sept  30. 1862 

STEPHEN  VORHIS. 

HAMMONDSPORT.  ss 

1        June  23,  1858 

s       Sept.  30. 1862 

GEORGE  VAN  DEURS. 

JASPER,  ss 

0       June  23,  1858 

1       June  23,  1858 

Jeremiah  Woodruff. 

1           Feb.  1 ,  1859 

1        Sept.  28,  1860 

SAMUEL  A.  RAWSON. 

WOODHULL.  ss 

1           Feb.  1,  1859 

s       Sept.  30,  1862 

L.  McGlashan. 

1        June  28,  1859 

1       June  19,  1860 

Henry  G.  Miles. 

1        June  28.  1859 

d                       1860 

DAVID  D.  GREGORY. 

PRATTSBURG.  p 

1          Oct.  26.  1859 

s       Sept.  80, 1862 

FREDERICK  GRAVES. 

HOWARD,  ss 

1         Jan.  10,  1860 

1         Jan.  14,  1862 

SUFFRENOS  OTTMAN. 

PULTENEY.  ss 

1        June  18,  1861 

s       Sept  30,  1862 

LEWIS  F.  LAINE. 

CANISTEO.  88 

1        June  17.  1862 

s       Sept.  30, 1862 

ANGELICA  PRESBYTERY  (1828-1859). 

The  Synod  of  Geneva  at  Syracuse  Oct.  7,  1828,  granted  an  over- 
ture from  the  Presbytery  of  Bath  asking  "  that  the  Rev.  Messrs.  R. 
Hubbard,  S.  Hubbard,  M.  Hunter,  and  R.  Hurd,  and  the  churches 
of  Ossian,  Almond,  Andover,  Angelica,  Allen,  Black  Creek,  and 
Olean  be  constituted  a  presbytery  to  be  called  the  Presbytery  of 
Angelica;  and  that  the  other  ministers  and  churches  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Bath  be  and  remain  the  Presbytery  of  Bath;  the  dividing 
line  between  the  counties  of  Steuben  and  Allegany  to  be  the  dividing 
line  between  the  said  presbyteries".  The  first  meeting  was  held  by 
direction  of  synod  at  Angelica  Nov.  28,  1828,  Rev.  Moses  Hunter, 
the  moderator  designated  by  synod,  asking  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard  to 
preach  the  sermon.  All  the  ministers  were  present — Moses  Hunter, 
Angelica;  Robert  Hubbard,  Almond;  Silas  Hubbard,  Andover;  and 
Reuben  Hurd,  Black  Creek.  The  elders  present  were:  Samuel 
Carr,  Almond;  Hiram  Harman,  Andover;  Silas  F.  Littlejohn, 
Allen;  John  G.  McKeen,  Black  Creek;  and  Vial  Thomas,  Angelica. 

The  following  churches  were  enrolled  in  Angelica  Presbytery  for 
the  periods  given:     *Almond,  Andover,  Angelica,  Ossian,  and 

*bmall  capitals  indicate  the  ministers  and  churches  known  to  have  been  within  the  limits 
of  the  present  Steuben  Presbytery. 


14  ANGELICA    PRESBYTERY. 

Olean,  1828-59;  Allen,  1828-50;  Black  Creek,  1828-37;  Port- 
age, 1829  — ;  Portageville,  1829-43  (became  Old  School);  Cuba, 
1829-59;  Centerville,  1829-59;  Pike,  1829-45;  Belfast,  1830- 
56;  Ellicottville,  1830-59;  Franklinville,  1830-38  (set  off  to  Buffalo 
Presbytery);  Farmersville,  1830-44  (united  with  Franklinville); 
Great  Valley  (after  1834  called  Burton),  1830-43  (united  with  Clean); 
Belmont  (called  also  Philipsville,  Philipsburg,  and  Amity)  1832- 
59;  Haiqht  (formed  in  1828  by  a  division  of  the  Black  Creek 
Church),  1832-37;  Nunda,  1832-44  (set  off  to  Ontario  Presbytery); 
Burns,  1833-59;  Independence,  1833-59;  Hume,  1834-59; 
Friendship,  1835-53;  Grove,  1836-45;  New  Hudson  (formed 
by  the  union  of  the  Black  Creek  and  Haight  churches),  1837-55" 
(about);  Rushford,  1838-55;  Dansville  2d,  1840-55  (set  off  to 
Ontario  Presbytery);  Wellsville,  1841-56;  Eagle,  1842-56;  Can- 
eadea,  1846-54;  Black  Creek  (Congregational),  1851-56;  and 
Arkport,  1852-59. 

The  stated  clerks  were  as  follows:  Rev.  Moses  Hunter,  Angelica, 
1828-39;  Rev.  Asa  S.  Allen,  Cuba,  1839-46;  Rev.  Joel  Wakeman, 
D.  D.,  Almond,  1846-52;  and  Rev.  Samuel  A.  Rawson,  Burns, 
1852-56.  From  1828  to  1834  Angelica  Presbytery  was  a  part  of 
Geneva  Synod.  Associated  with  it  in  Geneva  Synod  were  the  pres- 
byteries of  Geneva,  organized  in  1805,  Cayuga  1810,  Onondaga 
1810,  Bath  1817,  Cortland  1825,  Chenango  1826,  Tioga  1829,  and 
Delaware  1831.  General  Assembly  in  1834,  upon  its  own  request, 
and  with  the  consent  of  Geneva  Synod,  annexed  it  to  the  Synod  of 
Genesee.  Associated  with  it  in  Genesee  Synod  were  the  presbyter- 
ies of  Niagara,  organized  in  1817,  Ontario  1817,  Rochester  1819, 
Genesee  1819,  and  Buffalo  1823. 

In  1829  Angelica  Presbytery  reported  to  General  Assembly  469 
communicants,  in  1&40  1,500,  and  in  1850  1,700.  The  strength 
relatively  of  the  churches  Feb.  28,  1843,  may  be  estimated  from  the 
apportionment  of  $45  as  follows:  $5,  Dansville  2d,  Nunda  and 
Almond;  $3,  Friendship,  Cuba,  Hume,  Burns,  and  Angelica;  12, 
Ossian,  Eagle,  Centerville,  Rushford,  and  Portage;  $1,  New  Hud- 
son; Andover,  and  Amity. 

The  following  ministers  were  installed  and  released  at  the  places 
and  dates  named:  Robert  Hubbard,  Almond,  Aug.  20,  1812 
(Geneva  Presbytery) — Feb.  25,  1829;  Phineas  Smith,  Portage, 
Mar.  5,  1829— Feb.  23,  1830;  Moses  Hunter,  Angelica,  Nov. 
14,  1827  (Bath  Presbytery)— Aug.  27,  1833;  Moses  Hunter,  Al- 
mond,  Sept.  18,  1833— Feb.  27,  1839;  Asa  Johnson,  Nunda,  Feb. 
25,  1834— Sept.  14,  1837;  Leverett  Hull,  Angelica,  Sept.  30, 
1835— Aug.   30,    1837;  Ashbel  Otis,  Ossian,   Sept.  13,   1837— Feb. 


Rev.  HENRY  E.  NILES.  D.  D..  Angelica. 


Rev.  WILLIAM   E.  JONES,  D.  D.,  Bath. 


Rev.  ELIJAH  W.  STODDARD,  D.  D. ,  Angelica, 


Rev.  MILTON  WALDO,  D.  D,,  Hornellsville. 


Rev.  LEWIS  F,  LAINE,  Canisteo,  Rev.[CORLISS  B.  GARDNER,  D.  D.,  Cuba. 


ANGELICA    PRESBYTERY.  15 

27,  1839;  Benjamin  Russell,  Burns,  Sept.  14,  1834 — Aug.  28, 
1839;  Wales  Tileson,  Nunda,  Apr.  18,  1838— May  13,  1840;  Lem- 
uel Leonard,  Portageville,  Nov.  1,  1839 ;  Samuel  Sessions, 

Allen,  Feb.  26,  1840 — July  13,  1841;  Charles  Crocker,  Friend- 
ship, Feb.  9,  1842— Oct.  11,  1847;  D.  N.  Merritt,  Dansville  2d, 
July  11,  1843— Apr.  30,  1844;  W.  F.  Curry,  Dansville  2d,  June 
25,  1845 — May  i,  1849;  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D.,  Almond,  Jan. 
14,  1846— Aug.  16,  1865  (Genesee  Valley  Presbytery);  John  Van- 
Antwerp,  Hume,  Sept.  9,  1847— Jan.  11,  1853;  Charles  L.  Heq- 
uembourg,  Dansville  2d,  Jan.  9,  1850 — Jan.  12,  1853;  Jefferson 
Wynkoop,  Cuba,  Jan.  29,  1850 — Jan.  12,  1853;  Tyrell  Blair, 
Angelica,  June  25,  1851 — Apr.  12,  1855  (died);  Samuel  A.  Eaw- 
SON,  Burns,  Dec.  10,  1851 — July  10,  1856;  and  Nathan  Allen, 
Cuba,  Jan.  14,  1854— July  19,  1859  (Genesee  Valley  Presbytery). 
Angelica  Presbytery  became  unanimously  "  New  School".  In 
Angelica  Aug.  9,  1837,  presbytery  adopted  the  following  resolutions: 

"  Whereas,  it  appears  from  the  report  of  our  commissioner  to 
General  Assembly,  and  from  the  minutes  of  that  body,  that  we  as 
well  as  other  portions  of  the  Church  have  been  cut  off  from  the 
communion  of  that  body  and  our  commissioner  excluded,  by  a  sim- 
ple vote,  without  trial  or  alleged  crime;  therefore, 

"  Resolved — 1,  We  regard  this  act  as  unprecedented  in  ecclesiasti- 
cal history — altogether  unconstitutional,  and  therefore  null  and  void. 
*  *  *  3.  We  cannot  in  conscience  feel  the  least  straightened  by  this 
stretch  of  povver,  but  shall  appoint  our  commissioners  as  usual,  and 
if  any  arrogance  shall  exclude  them,  we  shall  direct  them  to  retire 
and  constitute  the  real  General  Assembly  and  proceed  as  if  nothing 
had  happened.  *  *  *  4.  That  we  appoint  seven  commissioners  to 
the  Convention  appointed  to  meet  at  Auburn  the  17th  inst.,  to  ex- 
press and  maintain  these  views  in  that  body".   *  *  * 

The  commissioners  were  Rev.  Moses  Hunter,  Rev.  Leverett  Hull, 
Rev.  Samuel  W.  May,  Rev.  Asa  Johnson,  R.  Barnes,  Thompson  Bell, 
and  J.  G.  Prentiss. 

The  Book  of  Discipline  must  have  been  very  familiar  to  ministers 
and  elders.  Many  special  meetings,  and  many  hours  at  almost 
every  meeting,  were  given  to  the  consideration  of  charges,  com- 
plaints, and  appeals.  Three  members  were  deposed  from  the  min- 
istry. The  case  of  Augustus  Littlejohn  was  under  consideration 
constantly  for  ten  years.  Rev.  William  Waith,  Ph.  D.,  in  his 
"Recollections  of  An  Emigrant's  Family",  thus  describes  him: 
"  He  was  a  common  laborer,  but  was  endowed  with  a  natural  elo- 
quence which  gave  him  the  complete  mastery  over  any  group  that 
he  addressed.  He  would  collect  a  gang  of  his  fellow  workmen  and 
preach  a  funeral  sermon  over  a  dead  horse,  or  dog,  that  would  fill 
the  eyes  of  his  hearers  with  tears.     This  man  professed  conversion 


16  ANGELICA    PRESBYTERY. 

to  Christianity,  and  began  holding  forth  in  school  houses,  or  in 
churches  to  which  pastors  would  admit  him,  and  hearts  were  melted, 
and  knees  were  bent  in  penitence,  to  such  an  extent  that  people 
thought  this  man  '  the  great  power  of  God'.  He  offered  himself  as 
a  candidate  for  the  ministry;  but  the  older  heads  of  the  presbytery, 
like  Abiel  Parmelee  and  Silas  Hubbard,  were  unyielding  in  their 
opposition  to  his  licensure.  Littlejohn,  however,  went  right  on 
with  his  fervent  appeals,  and  converts  were  multiplied  within  the 
parishes  of  the  very  pastors  that  opposed  him.  *  *  *  The  pressure 
upon  the  presbytery  became  so  strong  that  any  longer  to  refuse 
licensure  appeared  like  fighting  against  God".  In  1830  he  was 
licensed.  In  1833  a  day  was  set  for  his  ordination  as  an  evangelist. 
When  the  day  came  there  were  charges  against  him  of  doctrinal 
unsoundness  and  imprudent  conduct,  and  his  ordination  was  post- 
poned. A  month  later  Geneva  Synod  criticised  the  method  of  his 
licensure  and  directed  presbytery  to  re-examine  him.  Instead  of 
re-examining  him  for  licensure  presbytery  ordained  him.  This 
action  Genesee  Synod  censured.  Difficulties  arose  later  between 
Littlejohn  and  his  wife,  but  presbytery  exonerated  him  from  blame 
and  highly  commended  his  work  as  an  evangelist.  In  1839  there  were 
charges  against  his  character.  Presbytery  appointed  a  committee 
to  investigate,  but  in  1840,  before  that  committee  reported,  made 
him  moderator.  About  the  same  time  presbytery  refused  a  request 
of  Ontario  Presbytery  to  investigate  charges  against  Littlejohn — 
not  even  recording  the  charges  on  the  minutes.  The  Synod  of 
Genesee  censured  presbytery  very  sharply  for  making  him  moderator 
while  charges  were  pending  against  him,  and  for  jiassing  over  the 
request  of  Ontario  Presbytery.  After  a  good  many  other  actions, 
in  1841  he  was  cited  to  answer  definite  charges  of  grossly  immoral 
conduct.  There  was  an  exhaustive  trial  at  Almond  in  March,  1841. 
At  last  presbytery  saw  him  as  he  was,  and  unanimously  deposed 
him  from  the  ministry  and  excommunicated  him  from  the  church. 

This  presbytery  seems  to  have  gone  about  its  work  with  a  bhint 
directness  which  sometimes  disregarded  set  presbyterial  regulations. 
A  good  many  exceptions  are  recorded  by  synod  on  the  pages  of  pres- 
bytery's records.  Some  of  these  presbytery  calmly  disregarded — 
coming  at  last  to  feel  that  the  Synod  of  Genesee  was  prejudiced 
against  it.  The  last  straw,  however,  was  the  refusal  of  Ontario 
Presbytery  in  1847  to  receive  a  minister  regularly  dismissed. 

None  of  the  presbyteries  with  which  our  Steuben  and  Allegany 
churches  have  been  connected  has  taken  such  radical  action  for 
moral  reform.  There  are  many  resolutions  upon  temperance.  The 
first,  Sept.  2,  1830,  required  of  new  church  members  a  "pledge  of 


ANGELICA  PKESBYTERY.  1*7 

entire  abstinence  from  ardent  spirits".  In  1835  presbytery  advised 
elders  nominated  for  an  office  requiring  them  to  issue  licenses  to 
sell  liquor  to  refuse  such  office.  In  1839  vigorous  efforts  were  rec- 
ommended toward  influencing  the  Legislature  to  suppress  entirely 
the  liquor  traffic.  In  1841  presbytery  resolved  "  that  the  granting 
of  licenses  to  traffic  in  intoxicating  liquors  as  a  beverage  is  a  gross 
violation  of  the  great  law  of  temperance  and  should  be  considered 
by  our  churches  as  a  disciplinable  offense". 

The  interest  of  presbytery  iu  the  abolition  of  slavery  was  constant- 
Many  pages  of  resolutions  were  recorded  from  1835  to  1852 — some 
of  them  very  radical.  It  is  enough  perhaps  to  give  the  resolution 
presented  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Joel  Wakeman,  and  adopted  by  presby- 
tery Jan.  10,  1849: 

"  Whekeas,  there  are  presbyteries  and  churches  connected  with 
General  Assembly  that  refuse  to  discipline  their  members  for  the 
sin  of  slavery;  and, 

"  Whereas,  by  sending  delegates  there  after  the  flood  of  light 
that  has  been  thrown  on  this  subject  we  must  unavoidably  counten- 
ance and  fellowship  this  sin;  therefore, 

"  Hesolved,  that  if  at  the  next  meeting  of  that  body  they  do  not 
take  some  efficient  action  on  that  subject  we  shall  feel  ourselves 
bound  to  withhold  all  correspondence  and  fellowship  from  them  in 
the  future". 

From  1850  presbytery  meetings  became  very  small.  Some  of  the 
Congregational  ministers  and  churches  withdrew.  The  last  meet- 
ing, held  at  Scio  June  10,  1850,  was  marked  by  unusual  proceed- 
ings. There  were  six  present:  Rev.  Nathaniel  Hammond;  Rev. 
Samuel  A.  Kawson,  Burns;  Rev.  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D.,  Almond; 
Rev.  Nathan  Allen,  Cuba;  Kendal  Wilder,  Cuba;  and  Mansur 
Dyer,  Andover.  The  presbytery  voted  letters  of  dismission  to  all 
the  ministers.  Genesee  Synod  ruled  that  insomuch  as  a  presbytery 
is  unable  constitutionally  to  transact  business  when  only  two  minis- 
terial members  are  present,  the  last  two  dismissed,  Revs.  Rawson 
and  Allen,  were  still  members  of  Angelica  Presbytery.  The  efforts 
of  synod  to  resuscitate  presbytery  were  a  failure,  but  technically  the 
Presbytery  of  Angelica  existed  until  the  Presbytery  of  Genesee 
Valley  was  oi'ganized  from  the  same  territory  in  1859. 


18 


ANGELICA  PKESBYTERT. 

THE  MINISTERS  OF  ANBELICA  PRESBYTERY. 


NOTE.-Capitals  indicate  tiie  ministers  and  churches  known  to  have  been  within  the 
terrUory  ofpresent  Steuben  Presbytery;  s-transferred  by  synod-  1-by  letter ;  o-ordina- 
tioo;  d-death;  p-pastor;  s  s-stated  supply;  sd-suspended  and  deposed. 


NAMES^ 

ROBERT  HUBBARD. 
SILAS  HUBBARD. 
REUBEN  HURD. 
MOSES  HUNTER. 
JABEZSPICER,  M.  D. 
Phinehas  Smith. 
JAMES  GABOON. 
Abel  Caldwell. 
John  T.  Baldwin. 
William  P.  Kendrick. 
Robert  H.  Conklin. 
Asa  Johnson. 
SAMUEL  W.  MAY. 
Augustus  Littlejohn. 
LEVERETT  HULL. 
William  Bridgman. 
John  F.  Bliss. 
Lemuel  Hall. 
ASA  S.  ALLEN. 


FIELD. 


RECEIVED. 


ALMOND,  p 
ANDOVER.  ss 
HAIGHT.  ss 
ANGELICA,  p 
ANDOVER.  ss 

ALMOND,  ss 
Portage,  ss 
Frank  linville.  ss 


Nunda.  p 

ANGEUCA,  BELMONT,  ss 


Ashbel  Otis. 
BENJAMIN  RUSSELL. 

Wales  Tileson. 
ABEL  CALDWELL. 
Abiel  Parmelee. 
Eli  Hyde. 
Calvin  Gray. 
SAMUEL  SESSIONS. 

Leonard  Rogers. 
Abram  C.  Dubois. 
Lemuel  Leonai-d. 
Robert  H.  Conklin. 
HIRAM  GREGG. 
CHARLES  CROCKER. 
LEVERETT  HULL. 
Edward  Reynolds. 
RO^ALTWITCHEL. 
D.  N.  Merritt. 
Henry  Snyder. 
William  Bridgman. 
H.  B.  Taylor. 
W.  F.  Curry. 
JAMES  CONLEY. 
JOEL  WAKEMAN. 
HORACE  ERASER. 
SAMUEL  A.  RAWSON. 

JOHN  VAN  ANTWERP 
NATHAN  LEIGHTON. 
Nathaniel  Hammond. 
Joshua  Lane. 
John  W.  Lane. 
Chas.  L.  Hequembourg. 
JEFFERSON  WYNKOOP. 
Daniel  Russell. 
Charles  Kenmore. 
TYRELL  BLAIR. 
BENJAMIN  WELLES. 
Wm.  L.  Andrews. 
NATHAN  ALLEN. 
FOSTER  ULLY. 


ANGELICA,  p 


ANDOVER.  ss 
ICUBA.  V 

[burns,  p 

{ANDOVER.  ss 
[Nunda.  p 
NEW  HUDSON,  ss 


I  ALLEN,  p 
ICANEADEA.  ss 


HUME,  ss 
FRIENDSHIP,  p 
ANGELICA,  ss 

CANEADEA.ss 
Dansville  2d.  p 


Dansville  '2d.  p 
ANDOVER.  ss 
ALMOND,  p 
ANGELICA,  p 
ANDOVER  ss 
BURNS,  p 
HUME,  p 
CUBA,  ss 


Dansville  8d. 
CUBA,  p 


ANGELICA,  p 
ARKPORT.  ss 

CUBA,  p 
ANDOVER.  ss 


Oct.  T,  1828 

Oct.  7, 1828 

Oct.  7, 1828 

Oct.  7,1828 

Feb.  24,  1829 

Mar.  5,  1829 

May  19, 1830 

Aug.  31,  1830 

Aug.  30,  1881 

Aug.  27,  1833 

Aug.  27,  1833 

Feb.  25,  1834 

Feb.  25,  1834 

Apr.  16,  1834 

Sept.  29,  1835 

Feb.  24,  1836 

Aug.  30,  18.36 

Oct.  13,  1836 

Aug.  9,  1837 

Sept.  13,  1837 
Sept.  14,  1837 

Feb.  28,  1838 
Oct.  10,  1838 
Dec.  25, 1838 
Dec.  25,  1838 
Feb.  26,  1&J9 
Aug.  27,  1839 

Aug.  28,  1839 
Oct.  29,  1839 
Nov.  1,  1839 
July  14,  1840 
July  15, 1840 
Feb.  9,  1842 
Oct.  15, 1842 
Feb.  28,  1843 
Feb.  29,  1843 
July  10,  1843 
Apr.  30,  1844 
Aug.  2T,  1844 
June  24,  1845 
June  24,  1845 
Jan.  13,  1846 
Jan.  14,  1846 
July  14,  1846 
July  13, 1847 

Sept.  9,  1847 
Oct.  11,  1847 
Jan.  11. 184S 
Jan.  10.  1849 
June  26,  1849 
Jan.  8,  1850 
Jan.  29,  1850 
Sept.  25,  1860 
June  24,  1851 
June  24.  1851 
June  8,  1852 
June  21,  1853 
Jan.  14,  1854 
June  12,  1855 


DISMIS^D. 
Feb.  88.  1832 
Oct.  14,  1840 
Feb.  8T,  1839 

May  S,  1837 
Feb  28,  1832 
Feb.  28, 1832 
Feb.  23,  1836 
Aug.  30,  1837 

Nov.  5, 183.^ 
Sept   14,1837 

May  18,  1841 
Aug.  28,  1838 
Aug.  30,  1836 
Aug.  — .  1838 

July  14.  1840 

Aug  -,  1846 
July  10,  1843 

July  10,1844 
July  15,  1842 
Jan.  12,  1843 
July  9,  1844 
Oct.  14,  1840 
Feb.  26,  1840  . 

July  9. 1844 
Jan.  27, 1841 

Oct.  9,  1844 
Jan.  11,  1843 

Oct.  9, 1844 

July  9,  1844 
Oct,  11,  1847 
Aug.  27,  1844 

Jan.  11,  1853 
Oct.  9,  1844 
Jan.  12,  1855 
Jan.  8,  1850 
Aug.  18,  1846 
Sept.  10,  18.iO 
Jan.  13,  1855 
July  10,  1866 
Jan.  10,  1849 

July  10,  1856 

June  13,  1864 

Jan.  8,  1850 

July  10,  1856 
June  — ,  1850 
Sept.  10,  18.^0 

July  19  «53 
June  13,  1854 

Jan.  10,  1854 

Jan.  10,  18.54 

Apr.  12,  1855 
June  13,  1854 

Aug.  14, 1866 
July  10,  1856 

18.56 


Rev.  ISAAC  C.  OGDEN.  Almond. 


Rev.  JOHN  REID,  Angelica. 


Rev.  SAMUEL  W.  PRATT,  Campbell.  Rev.  DWIGHT  K.  STEELE.  Almond. 


Rev.  M.  L.  P.  HILL,  D.  D.,  Corning.  Rev.  BYRON  B03W0RTH.  Hammondsport. 


CHEMUNG     PRESBYTERY,  19 

CHEAIUNG  PRESBYTERY  (1836-1862). 

For  20  years  the  South  Steuben  churches  of  Steuben  Presbytery 
belonged  to  Chemung  Presbytery.  This  presbytery  was  set  off  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Bath  by  the  Synod  of  Geneva,  at  a  meeting  in 
Penn  Yan  Oct.  5,  1836,  the  following  resolution  being  adopted: 

'^  Resolved,  that  all  that  part  of  the  Presbytery  of  Bath  which 
lies  north  of  a  line  formed  by  the  south  line  of  Hornellsville,  How- 
ard, Bath.  Tyrone,  and  Reading,  remain  the  Presbytery  of  Bath; 
and  that  all  the  remaining  part  of  the  presbytery  be  constituted  a 
new  presbytery,  to  be  named  the  Presbytery  of  Chemung". 

The  territory  within  Chemung  Presbytery  was  that  now  within 
South  Steuben,  Schuyler,  and  Chemung  counties  in  New  York, 
and  Tioga  and  Bradford  counties  in  Pennsylvania.  There  were 
'  17  ministers  and  20  churches  at  the  beginning.  The  first  meeting 
was  at  Big  Flats  Dec.  27,  1836.  All  the  ministers  were  present 
except  three.  The  following  elders  were  enrolled:  Nathan  Rey- 
nolds, Big  Flats;  *George  Teeple,  Campbell;  William  Wells, 
Southport;  Francis  Northway,  Hornby;  Nehemiah  Denton, 
Havana;  John  Sample,  Painted  Post  (Corning);  Hector  Sayre, 
Horse  Heads;  Joel  D.  Gillet,  Addison;  Wm.  Braisted,  Wells; 
and  Wm.  Porter,  Catlin.  The  first  annual  report  gave  the  member- 
ship of  Elmira  as  256,  Big  Flats  75,  Mead's  Creek  68,  Havana  48, 
Columbia  33,  Wells  17,  Erwin  28,  Painted  Post  (Corning)  111, 
Campbell  47,  Southport  129,  Addison  20,  and  Elkland  77. 

The  first  change  in  the  bounds  of  presbytery  is  explained  by  the 
following  extract  from  the  minutes  of  Geneva  Synod,  recorded  at 
Ithaca  Oct.  3,  1844: 

"  A  new  presbytery  [was]  formed  to  consist  of  the  following  min- 
isters and  churches,  viz. :  Henry  Ford,  Elijah  D.  Wells,  Octavius 
Fitch,  Samuel  J.  McCuUough,  and  Samuel  Porter;  and  the  churches 
of  Wells,  Wells  and  Columbia,  Sullivan  and  Richmond,  Covington, 
Wellsborough,  Farmington,  Elkland,  Beecher's  Island,  and  Law- 
renceville,  and  bounded  as  follows:  north  by  the  New  York  State 
line***to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Pennsylvania". 

This  took  out  of  Chemung  Presbytery  all  of  the  Pennsylvania 
churches  and  ministers,  with  the  exception  of  the  church  of  Athens. 

The  next  change  in  the  bounds  of  presbytery  was  that  brought 
about  by  the  action  of  the  Synod  of  Geneva  at  Elmira  Sept.  30,  1862, 
in  the  adoption  of  the  recommendations  "  that  all  the  churches  in- 
cluded in  the  county  of  Steuben  and  now  belonging  to  the  Presby- 
tery of  Chemung,  be  transferred  to  the  Presbytery  of  Bath;  and 
that  the  Presbytery  of  Bath  hereafter  be  called  the  Presbytery  of 
Steuben."  This  action  took  out  of  Chemung  Presbytery  the  churches 
of  Corning,  Campbell,  Hornby,  Addison,  Woodhull,  Painted  Post 
2d  (Caton),  and  Painted  Post  (Village). 

'I'bmall  capitals  indicate  the  ministers  and  churches  known  to  have  been  within  the  limits 
of  the  present  Steuben  Presbytery. 


20  CHEMUNG    PRESBYTERY. 

During  these  26  years  of  Chemung  Presbytery  the  following 
churches  were  enrolled:  1.  Those  set  off  from  Bath  Presbytery: 
Big  Flats,  1836-62;  Campbell,  1836-62  (Steuben  Presbytery); 
Southport,  1836-62;  Hornby,  1836-62  (Steuben  Presbytery);  Ha- 
vana, 1836-62;  Corning  (Painted  Post  1st),  1836-62  (Steuben 
Presbytery);  Horse  Heads,  1836-62;  Addison,  1836-62  (Steuben 
Presbytery);  Wells  2d,  1836-44  (Pennsylvania  Presbytery);  Catlin, 
1836-62;  Mansfield,  1836-41;  Lawrenceville,  1836-44  (Pennsylva- 
nia Presbytery);  Jasper,  1836-47  (Bath  Presbytery);  Elmira  1st, 
1836-62;  Greenwood,  1836-50  (extinct);  Troupsburg,  1836-46 
(extinct);  Painted  Post  2d  (Caton),  1836-62  (Steuben  Presbytery); 
WooDHULL,  1836-62  (Steuben  Presbytery);  Erwin,  1836-43  (ex- 
tinct); and  Elkland,  1836-44  (Pennsylvania  Presbytery).  2.  Those 
enrolled  by  organization,  etc.:  Millsport,  1837-62;  Mead's  Creek 
(Monterey),  1836-62;  Wells  and  Columbia,  1837-44  (Pennsylvania 
Presbytery);  Richmond,  1839-44;  Chemung,  1840-54  (absorbed  by 
Southport  2d);  Athens,  1840-62;  Cameron,  1841-3  (Batli  Presby- 
tery); Painted  Post  (village),  1841-62  (Steuben  Presbytery); 
Covington,  1842-4  (Pennsylvania  Presbytery);  Sullivan  (set  off 
from  Richmond),  1842-4;  AVellsborough,  1843-4  (Pennsylvania 
Presbytery);  Richmond  and  Sullivan  (reunited),  1844-4  (Pennsyl- 
vania Presbytery);  Beocher's  Island,  1844-4  (Pennsylvania  Presby- 
tery); Farmington,  1844-4  (Pennsylvania  Presbytery);  Thurston, 
1845-50  (extinct);  Painted  Post  1st  (organized  from  Corning), 
184(j_9  (reunited  to  Corning);  Post  Creek,  1846-51  (extinct);  Wat- 
kins  (Reading)  (setoff  from  Bath  Presbytery)  1849-62;  Factoryville, 
1847-  ;  Jefferson,  1849-  ;  Waverly,  1853-62;  Southport  2d, 
1854-9  (extinct);  Pine  Grove,  1858-62;  Burdett,  1858-62;  and 
Elmira  2d  (organized  from  Elmira  1st),  1861-2. 

The  comparative  strength  of  some  of  these  churches  may  be  esti- 
mated from  apportionments  recorded  in  the  minutes  of  presbytery. 
In  1839  the  assessment  of  $84  for  the  commissioners'  and  the  con- 
tingent fund  was  as  follows:  Elmira,  120;  Southport,  $5;  Horse 
Heads,  Havana,  Big  Flats,  Painted  Post  1st  (Corning),  Addison, 
Millsport,  Lawrenceville,  and  Campbell,  14  each;  Catlin,  Elkland, 
Hornby,  Jasper,  and  Mead's  Creek,  $3  each;  Erwin,  Woodhull, 
Columbia  and  Wells,  and  Painted  Post  2d  (Caton),  |2  each; 
Mansfield,  Greenwood,  Wells,  and  Troupsburg,  $1  each. 

The  stated  clerks  of  Chemung  Presbytery  have  been:  Rev.  John 
Smith,  Corning,  1836-40;  Rev.  Elijah  D.  AVells,  Campbell,  1840-2; 
Rev.  Philemon  H.  Fowler,  D.  D.,  Elmira,  1842-6;  Rev.  B.  Foster 
Pratt,  Painted  Post,  1846-8;  Rev.  B.  M.  Goldsmith,  Southport, 
1848-50;  and  Rev.  Charles  C.  Carr,  Horse  Heads,  from  1850  to  the 
present  time. 


CHEMUNG    PRESBYTERY.  21 

None  of  the  presbyteries  to  which  the  existing  Steuben  Presbytery 
churches  have  belonged  has  so  high  a  record  for  installed  pastors  as 
Chemung  Presbytery  during  this  period.  In  1840  presbytery  re- 
corded strong  resolutions  on  the  subject,  and  sent  a  pastoral  letter 
on  the  subject  to  every  church  and  minister  in  presbytery.  The 
following  ministers  were  installed  and  released  at  the  places  and  on 
the  dates  named:  George  Spalding,  Southport,  Jan.  11,  1837 — 
Oct.  5,  1842;  OrenCatlin,  Horse  Heads,  Feb.  7,  1838— Feb.  2,  1841; 
David  I.  Perry,  Big  Flats,  Feb.  2,  1836  (Bath  Presbytery)— Sept.  18, 
1838;"  John  Frost,  Elmira,  Nov.  4,  1835  (Bath  Presbytery) — Feb. 
5,  1839;  John  Gray,  Catlin,  Sept.  14,  1836  (Bath  Presbytery)— 
Feb.  5,  1839;  Philemon  H.  Fowler,  Elmira,  Dec.  4,  1839— Dec.  16, 
1^50;  Lewis  Hamilton,  Addison,  July  2,  1840 — Mar.  16,  1842; 
Samuel  M.  Hopkins,  Corning,  Sept.  23,  1840 — Sept.  8,  1842; 
Curtis  Thurston,  Athens,  Feb.  24,  1841— Feb.  2,  1848;  Joseph 
Underwood,  Millport,  Mar.  3,  1841— Dec.  12,  1843;  Samuel  S. 
Howe,  Painted  Post,  May  6,  1841— Dec.  20,  1842;  Charles  C. 
Carr,  Horse  Heads,  June  30,  1841— Feb.  5,  1856;  Henry  Clark, 
Havana,  Nov.  9,  1841 — Sept.  6,  1842;  Morrison  Huggins,  Havana, 
June  13,  1843— June  25,  1856;  B.  Foster  Pratt,  Painted  Post, 
Dec.  13,  1843— Feb.  7,  1849;  Benj.  M.  Goldsmith,  Southport  and 
Chemung,  Feb.  25,  1845 — Aug.  29,  1849  (Chemung),  and  Jan.  15, 
1850  (Southport);  Lewis  Hamilton,  Campbell,  Feb.  12,  1846 — 
Apr.  3,  1849;  Joshua  B.  Graves,  Corning,  Feb.  12, 1846— Sept. 
7,  1847;  F.  W.  Graves,  Elmira,  Congregational  (not  under  care  of 
presbytery),  Feb,  19,  1846 ;  Anson  H.  Parmelee,  Addi- 
son, Oct.  21,  1846— Sept.  26,  1855;  Horatio  Pattengill,  D.  D., 
Painted  Post  1st  (Corning  2d),  Dec.  1,  1846— Apr.  2,  1849;  Syl- 
vester B.  Shearer,  Eeading  (Watkins),  Sept.  29,  1847— Sept.  26, 
1855;  Asahel  L.  Brooks,  Corning,  July  2,  1849— Feb.  3,  1851; 
Isaac  N.  Hiird,  Big  Flats,  Jan.  16,  1850— July  1,  1851;  David 
Murdock,  D.  D.,  Elmira,  Oct.  1,  1851— Dec.  1,  1860;  Robert  E. 
Willson,  Corning,  Feb.  18,  1852— Sept.  26,  1855;  Darwin 
Chichester,  Corning,  July  15,  1856 — July  1,  1859;  Charles  C. 
Carr,  Painted  Post,  Mar.  3,  1857 — Aug.  2,  1859;  Benjamin 
Russell,  Watkins,  Mar.  12,  1857— June  30,  1858;  Oliver  Crane, 
.  Waverly,  July  15,  1857— Mar.  31,  1860;  S.  Mills  Day,  Harana, 
Oct.  15,  1857— July  1,  1861;  N.  E.  Pierson,  Horse  Heads,  Dec.  16, 
1857 — Jan.  ^Z6,  1862;  David  F.  Judson,  Addison,  June  15,  1859 
—Apr.    1,   1863;  Charles  C.  Carr,   Burdett,   Sept.  29,  1859— Mar. 

16,  1863;  F.   S.   Howe,   Watkins,  Feb.   9,   1860- ;  David  F. 

Johnson,  Waverly,  Aug.   15,  1860— Jan.  29,  1867;  George  C.  Cur- 
tis, Elmira  1st,  Apr.   17,   1861 ;    Isaac  Clark,   Elmira  2d, 

Nov.  12,  1861 . 


22  CHEMUNG    PRESBYTERY. 

The  record  of  Chemung  Presbytery  on  questions  of  public  im- 
portance is  an  honorable  one.  In  1837  very  strong  action  was  re- 
corded on  the  importance  of  keeping  the  Sabbath.  The  following 
are  two  of  the  resolutions: 

"  1st.  That  we  regard  the  running  of  stages,  the  opening  and 
changing  of  the  mail,  and  the  giving  out  of  letters  and  newspapers 
at  the  postoffice  on  the  Sabbath,  as  an  infraction  of  the  Sabbatical 
law. 

"2d.  That  whenever  persons  run  their  boats,  or  in  any  other 
way  do  business  upon  the  canal  on  the  Sabbath;  whenever  they  load 
arks  or  prepare  rafts  upon  the  Sabbath  to  float  down  our  rivers;  when 
they  set  out  or  continue  on  their  journeys  on  the  Sabbath,  for  the 
purpose  of  gain,  or  convenience,  or  that  they  may  sooner  enjoy  the 
society  of  their  friends;  or  whenever  they  invest  their  capital  in  any 
business  that  is  carried  on  upon  the  Sabbath — in  such  and  every 
such  instance  they  disregard  the  authority  of  God,  trample  upon 
His  laws,  and  profane  the  day  of  sacred  rest." 

Between  1836  and  1854  there  were  recorded  no  less  than  12  strong 
series  of  resolutions  against  "  the  sin  of  American  slavery". 

Chemung  does  not  seem  to  have  sent  delegates  to  the  Auburn 
Conference  of  1837,  but  that  it  stood  with  BaDh  and  Angelica  Pres- 
byteries in  condemnation  of  the  exscinding  acts  of  the  General 
Assembly  is  evident  by  an  extract  from  the  minutes  recorded  at 
Corning  Sept.  6,  1837: 

"  Besolved,  Ist.  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  presbytery,  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  in  declaring  the  above  synods  (Utica,  Geneva,  Gene- 
see, and  Western  Reserve)  non-constitutional  portions  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  excluding  the  commissioners  of  the  presby- 
teries embraced  in  these  bodies  from  their  seats,  transcended  the 
powers  delegated  by  the  presbyteries,  and  therefore  that  such  acts 
are  null  and  void.  *  *  *  4.  That  we  highly  approve  the  firmness 
and  Christian  spirit  manifested  by  our  commissioners,  and  their 
associates  in  the  minority,  in  resisting  these  unconstitutional  pro- 
ceedings, and  entering  tlieir  formal  protest  against  them.  *  *  *  5. 
That  we  approve  of  the  resolution  of  the  late  Convention  at  Auburn, 
recommending  the  churches  to  continue  their  present  organization 
and  to  send  up  their  delegates  to  the  next  General  Assembly  to  take 
their  seats  as  heretofore".  *  *  * 

Only  one  minister.  Rev.  David  Harrowar,  and  no  church,  with- 
drew into  the  Old  School  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

By  a  vote  of  11  to  6  presbytery  in  1838  condemned  as  error  the 
denial  of  "  the  native  depravity  of  our  race",  the  teaching  that 
''  sin  is  necessary  to  a  moral  government",  and  the  position  that 
*'self  love  is  the  first  affection  of  the  soul"  "  in  the  beginning  of 
obedience  to  God".  At  the  same  meeting  the  following  doctrines 
were  condemned  as  dangerous  errors:  "  that  the  sin  of  Adam  is 
imputed  to  his  posterity  by  a  literal  transfer,  so  that  Adam's  sin 


Rev.  JOHN  WAUGH,  Cohocton.  ^^^^  DANIEL  J.  ROBERTSON,  Canisteo. 


Rev.  LAWRENCE  M.  STEVENS,  Prattsburg.  Rev.  GILBERT  REID,  Angelica. 


Rev.  DAVID  McLEOD,  Angelica. 


Rev.  JOHN  S.  BACON,  Corning. 


CHEMUNG    PRESBYTERY.  23 

becomes  personally  our  sin";  "that  the  atonement  of  Christ  was 
made  only  for  the  elect";  '*  that  God  does  not  sincerely  invite  all  to 
partake  of  the  benefits  of  the  atonement'^;  "that  sinners  have  no 
ability  of  any  kind  to  obey  God";  "that  God  does  not  command 
them  to  repent";  and  "that  circumstances  may  justify  the  volun- 
tary doing  of  that  which  is  in  itself  morally  wrong". 

The  following  action  was  taken  in  1841:  "Resolved,  That  it  be 
a  standing  rule  hereafter  in  choosing  a  moderator,  for  the  members 
to  nominate,  the  persons  nominated  to  vote  by  ballot  and  retire,  and 
the  election  to  be  made  by  calling  the  roll".  Chemung  Presbytery 
met  one  morning  at  5:30,  The  most  important  of  the  many  judicial 
trials  was  that  in  1843  concerning  troubles  in  the  Catlin  Church. 
It  extended  over  three  weeks.  There  were  charges  against  Rev. 
John  Gray,  against  Rev.  P.  L.  de  St.  Croix,  Gray's  successor  in 
Catlin,  against  an  elder,  and  against  the  Catlin  session.  Gray  was 
suspended  from  the  ministry;  St.  Croix  was  censured  in  open  pres- 
bytery; the  elder  Avas  suspended  from  his  office  and  from  church 
communion;  and  the  session  was  exonerated.  Gray  was  later  re- 
stored. St.  Croix  some  years  later  for  another  offense  was  suspended 
from  the  ministry  but  upon  penitent  confession  was  a  little  later 
restored.  Two  were  deposed  from  the  ministry.  The  number  of 
communicants  reported  to  General  Assembly  in  1840  was  760,  in 
1850    1,407,  and  in  1860  1,879. 

Chemung  Presbytery  was  a  part  of  Geneva  Synod.  The  presby- 
teries associated  with  Chemung  in  Geneva  Synod  were:  Geneva, 
organized  in  1805,  Ca^^uga  1810,  Onondaga  1810,  Bath  18i7,  Cort- 
land 1825,  Chenango  1826,  Tioga  1829,  Delaware  1831  (in  1840 
transferred  to  Synod  of  Albany),  Ithaca  1839,  and  Pennsylvania  1844. 


THE  MINISTERS  OF  CHEMUNG  PRESBYTERY  FROM  1836  TO  1862. 

NOTE.— Capitals  indicate  the  ministers  and  churches  known  to  have  been  within  the 
territory  of  present  Steuben  Presbytery;  s— transferred  by  synod;  1 — by  letter;  o — ordina- 
tion: wc— without  charge;  s  s— stated  supply;  p— pastor;  os— Old  School;  d— death;  sd — 
suspended  and  deposed. 

FIELD.  RECEIVED.  DISMISSED. 

1838 


NAMES. 

David  Harrowar. 
Charles  Goodrich. 
Asa  Donalson. 
William  M.  Adams. 
John  Frost. 
Georxe  Spalding. 
DANIEL  B   BUTTS. 
Elijah  Buck. 
John  Gray. 


OREN  JOHNSON. 
Ethan  Pratt. 
David  I.  Perry. 
EGBERT  ROOSA. 

JOHN  SMITH. 
William  P.  Jackson. 


Havana    wc 

Horse  Heads,  ss 
Elmira.  p 
Southport.  p 
ADDISON,  ss 

(Catlin.  p 
Mead's  Creek,  ss 
Moreland.  wc 
JASPER,  ss 
Chemung,  ss 
I  Big  Flats,  p 
IPAINTED  POST  2d.  ss 
Seelye  Creek,  wc 
CORNING,  ss 
Millport,  ss 


Oct.  5,  1886  OS 
Oct  5,  1836  1 
Oct.  5,  183611 


Oct.  5,  1836 
Oct.  5,  1836 
Oct.  6,  1836 
Oct.  5,  1836 
Oct.  5,  1836 
Oct.  5,  1836 


Oct.  5,  1836 
Oct.  5,  1836 
Oct.  6,  1836 
Oct.  5,  1836 


Dec.  2T,  1836 
Sept.  6, 1837  1 


Aug.  23,  1854 
Sept.  3,  1839 
Sept.  5, 1838 
Oct.  7,  1840 
Oct  6,  1842 
Sept.  3,  1839 
Sept.  6,  1837 


Feb.  3,  1841 
Aug.  16,  1848 
Sept.  18,  1838 


Sept.  1,  1840 
Feb.  4,  1840 


24 

NAMES. 


CHEMUNG    PKESBYTERY. 


FIELD. 


RECEIVED. 


DISMISSED. 


ELIJAH  D.  WELLS. 

Oren  Catlin. 
Octavius  Fitch. 

P.  L.  deSt.  Croix. 
Philemon  H  Fowler,  D.  D. 
LEWIS  HAMILTO^^ 

.Toseph  Underwood. 
Darius  Williams. 
SAML  M.  HOPKINS,  D.  D. 
Francis  L.  Whiting. 
Curtiss  Thurston. 
SAMUEL  S.  HOWE. 
Charles  C.  Carr. 


Henry  Clark. 
JOSEPH  GARDNER. 
Julius  Doane. 
Samuel  J.  McCullough. 
JOSHUA  B.  GRAVES. 

THOMAS  W  DUNCAN. 
Morrison  HuKtrins. 
B.  FOSTER  PRATT. 


Henry  Ford,  D.  D. 

Samuel  Porter. 

Ebenezer  Everett. 

B.  M.  Goldsmith. 

F.  W.  Graves. 

HOR.  PATTENGILL,  D.  D 

D.  A .  Abbey. 

ANSON  H.  PARMELEE. 

Sylvester  B.  Shearer. 

Sidney  Mills. 

Nathaniel  Elmer. 

ASAHEL  L.  BROOKS. 

Isaac  N.  Hurd 

William  B.  Stow. 

J.  R.  \OUNG. 

Peleg  R.  Kinney. 

George  Hood. 

David  Murdock,  D.  D. 

William  Goodell. 

ROBERT  E.  WILLSON. 

Robert  McMath. 

William  Clark. 

MILTON  BUTTOLPH. 

Francis  Hendricks. 

George  T.  Everest. 

Fordyce  Harrington 

WM.  R.  DOWNS. 

Reuben  H.  Close. 

Harvey  A.  Sacket. 

Beniamin  Russell. 

RICHARD  G  KEYES. 

Charles  Chapman. 

Henry  Osborne 

DARWIN  CHICHESTER. 

Calvin  McKinney. 

Henry  Hick  ok. 

Benjamin  B.  Riley. 

Alexander  Murdock. 

S.  Mills  Day. 

Oliver  Crane,  D.  D. 

Augustus  W.  Cowles,  D.  D. 

DAVID  F.  JUDSON. 

Nathaniel  E.  Pierson. 

Elijah  B.  Smith. 

Henry  Rinker. 

F.  S.  Howe. 

WILLIAM  A.  NILES,  D.  D. 

David  S.  Johnson,  D.  D. 

George  C.  Curtis,  D.  D. 

Isaac  Clark. 

Frederick  Graves. 

Oris  Eraser. 

HIRAM  E.  JOHNSON. 


CAMPBELL,  ss 
Lawrenceville.  wc 
Horse  Heads,  p 
Richmond,  ss 
Covington,  ss 
i  Catlin.  ss 
Elmira.  p 
ADDISON,  p 
CAMPBELL,  ss 
Millport,  p 
Elkland.  ss 
CORNING,  p 
Big  Flats,  ss 
Alliens  p 

PAINTED  POST,  p 
Horse  Heads,  p 
PAINTED  POST,  p 
Burdett.  p 
Havana,  p 
HORNBY   ss 
Covington,  wc 
Lawrenceville.  ss 
CORNING,  ss 
CORNING,  p 
JASPER,  ss 
Havana,  p 
PAINTED  POST,  p 
CAMPBELL,  ss 


Catlin.  ss 

Southport  and  Chemung. 
Elmira  (Cong),  p 
CORNING  2d.  p 
Mead's  Creek,  ss 
ADDISON,  p 
Reading,  p 
Big  Flats,  ss 
Waverly.  ss 
CORNING,  p 
Big  Flats,  p 

PAINTED  POST,  ss 

.\  thens.  ss 
Elmira.  p 

CORNING,  p 

PAINTED  POST,  ss 
Dryden.  ss 

HOWARD,  ss 


Watkins.  p 
PAINTED  POST,  ss 


CORNING,  p 


Havana,  p 
W^averly.  p 

ADDISON,  p 
Horse  Heads,  p 

Watkins.  p 
CORNING,  ss 
Waverly.  p 
Elmira  1st.  p 
Elmira  2d.  p 

PAINTED  POST,  ss 


I 

1 

il 

Po 

;i 
1 
1 


Feb.  6.  18381 

s 
Feb.  6,  18.?8  1 
Mar.  6,  18,39 

s 
Sept.  3.  18-39 
Dec.  4.  1839  1 
July  2,  1840 

Sept.  2, 1840  I 
Sept.  22.  1840 
Sept.  23,  1840 

Feb.  3,  1841  d 
Feb.  24,  1841  !d 

May  6,  184111 
June  30,  1841 


Nov.  9,  1841  1 
Feb.  2,  184211 
Feb.  2,  1842!sd 

Sept  7,  1842  s 
Oct.  5,  1842 


Feb.  7.  1843 
June  1.3.  1843 
Dec.  12,  1843 


May  28,  l844;s 
Sept.  4,  1844 
Oct.  15,  1844 
Feb.  2.'),  184.5 
Feb.  3,  1846 
Sept.  1, 1846 
Sept.  1,  1846 
Sept.  21,  1846 
Sept.  29.  1847 
Feb.  1,  1848 
Oct.  4,  1848 
July  2,  1849 
Jan.  16,  18.50 
Feb.  4,  1850 
Feb.  4,  1850 
June  24,  1850 
Aug.  29,  1850 
June  30,  1851 
Aug.  26,  1851 
Feb.  2.  1853 
Feb.  2,  18.52 
Jime  28. 18.52  i 
Feb.  8,  1S53 
June  28,  18.53  I 
Aug.  24,  1853  I 
Feb.  6,  1864ll 
Feb.  6,  18.5411 
Feb.  6,  18541 
Feb.  6,  1854  1 
Feb.  5,  1855  1 
June  26,1855  1 
June  24,  18.50! 
June  24,  18.56 1 1 
June  24, 185611 
Sept.  29,  18.56!l 
Sept.  30.  1856^1 
Feb.  24, 18.5711 
Feb.  25,  18.57 1 1 


Oct.  3,  1844 
Oct.  6,  1841 

Oct.  3,  1844 

Dec.  16,  18.50 

Aug.  28,  1849 
Sept.  1,  1846 

Oct.  .5,  1842 
Oct.  15,  1863 
Sept.  22,  1872 
Sept.  15.  1845 


Sept.  6,  1842 

May  28,  1844 

Dec.  13.  1843 

Oct.  3,  1844 

Aug.  16,  1848 
Sept.  7,  1847 
June  25,  1860 

Sept.  28,  1865 
0.-t.  3,  1844 
Oct.  3,  1844 
Sept.  7,  1847 
Jan.  15,  1850 
Oct.  6,  1847 
Feb.  5,  18.^0 


I        SepU  26,  1855 

Feb.  7,  1849 

June  30,  18.58 

Feb.  .i,  1851 


May  11,  18.57 
June  30,  1857 
Sept  29,  1857 
Sept.  29,  1867 
Dec.  16,  1857 
Nov.  24,  18.58 
Jan.  2.5.  1869 
Sept.  28.  18.59 id 


Aug  14,  1860 
Aug.  15,  1860 
Apr.  17,  1861 
Nov.  12,  1861 
Jan.  29,  1862 
Feb.  12,  1862 
June  10, 1862 


Feb.  8.  1853 

June  29,  1852 

June  30.  1851 

June  26,  1 865 

1861 

Sept.  26,  1860 

Feb.  4.  1856 

Oct   15,  1857 


Sept.  26,  18.55 

Aug.  23.  1854 

Sept.  28,  1864 

Feb.  4,  1866 

Sept.  29.  1357 
Sept.  28,  18.58 
June  24,  1856 


July  15 
Sept.  28, 
June  30, 
Feb  24, 
Sept.  29, 
Oct.  15, 
June  14, 
Sept.  28, 


1857 
1859 
1858 
1857 
1857 
1857 
1864 
1864 


Jan.  28.  1863 
Sept.  30,  1883 


1897 
Jan.  28,  1863 


June  7.  1865 
Jan.  28.  1863 
Jan.  28, 1863 


GENESEE  VALLEY  PRESBYTERY.  25 

GENESEE  VALLEY  PRESBYTERY  (1859-1886).  " 
Unable  after  two  years'  effort  to  revive  the  Angelica  Presbytery, 
the  Synod  of  Genesee  at  Mount  Morris  Sept.  28,  1858,  recommend- 
ed the  organization  of  the  same  territory  into  a  new  presbytery, 
together  with  a  few  ministers  and  (upon  their  consent)  the  Olean, 
Portville,  Franklinville,  and  Ellicottville  churches  in  Cattaraugus 
county.  By  direction  of  synod  a  meeting  was  held  at  Cuba  on  the 
second  Tuesday  of  December,  1858,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing, 
but  the  Cattaraugus  county  churches  in  question  had  not  yet  taken 
action.  To  give  them  time  to  decide,  the  meeting  was  adjourned 
to  Olean  Jan.  4,  1859,  when  all  but  Ellicottville  consented  to  be- 
come part  of  a  new  presbytery.  The  following  ministers  and 
churches  (by  the  elders  named)  were  enrolled  as  members  of  the 
new  presbytery:  Ministers — Sylvester  Cowles,  D.  D.,  and  Isaac  G. 
Ogden  (from  Buffalo  Presbytery),  Nathan  Allen  (from  Angelica 
Presbytery),  and  John  Niles  Hubbard  (from  Ontario  Presbytery); 
Churches — Olean  (Jacob  Coss),  Portville  (Henry  Dusenbury),  Alle- 
gany (G.  VanCampen),  Franklinville  (Merlin  Mead),  *Angelica 
(A.  B.  Palmer),  Cuba  (H.  A.  Mead),  Almond  (xMoses  Lockhart), 
and  Burns.  The  first  stated  meeting  was  at  Almond  Feb.  15,  1859. 
The  name  chosen  by  ballot  for  the  new  presbytery  was  Genesee 
Valley.  By  the  close  of  1859  there  belonged  to  it  9  ministers  and 
10  churches.  It  comprised  Allegany  county,  the  eastern  part  of 
Cattaraugus  county,  and  the  church  of  Arkport  in  Steuben  countv. 
Being  a  part  of  Genesee  Synod,  it  was  a  New  School  presbytery. 
Before  Reunion  the  following  churches  had  been  enrolled  in  addition 
to  those  named:  Centerville,  Andover,  Belmont,  Belfast,  Hor- 
nellsville,  Hume,  and  Rusliford. 

At  Buffalo  June  29,  1870,  the  presbytery  was  reconstituted  by 
the  Synod  of  Western  New  York  (the  successor  of  Genesee  Synod) 
to  comprise  all  the  churches  and  ministers  within  Allegany  and 
Cattaraugus  counties.  By  this  change  Hornellsville  and  Arkport 
were  transferred  to  Steuben  Presbytery,  and  Ellicottville,  Salaman- 
ca, and  Connewango  enrolled  from  Buffalo  Presbytery.  A  little 
later  the  oil  excitement  arose  and  the  newly  organized  Limestone, 
Bradford,  Kendall  Creek,  and  Duke  Center  churches  were  added. 
The  three  churches  last  named  were  in  Pennsylvania,  and  were  en- 
rolled as  the  result  of  presbytery's  successful  effort  to  have  Bradford, 
Otto,  and  Eldred  townships  transferred  from  the  Synod  of  Harris- 
burg  to  the  Synod  of  Western  New  York. 

It  was  always  a  small  presbytery.     In  the  Narrative  of  1882  pres- 

*Small  capitals  indicate  ministers  and  churches  known  to  have  been  within  the  territory 
of  the  present  Steuben  Presbytery. 


:36  GENESEE  VALLEY  PRESBYTERY. 

bytery  confessed  itself  "  the  smallest  presbytery  in  the  [newly  or- 
ganized] Synod  of  New  York".  There  were  rarely  as  many  as 
eighteen  at  a  meeting,  and  often  not  more  than  ten.  But  this  very 
fact  bound  the  ministers  and  churches  together  more  closely.  Yet 
the  question  of  dissolution  was  often  discussed.  One  proposition 
was  for  the  Cattaraugus  churches  to  unite  with  Buffalo  Presbytery 
and  the  Allegany  churches  with  Genesee.  Another  was  for  all  to 
go  into  Buffalo  Presbytery.  Finally  an  overture  of  the  presbytery 
asking  dissolution  on  certain  lines  was  granted  by  the  Synod  of  New 
York  at  Elmira  Oct.  21,  1886.  The  Allegany  churches  and  minis- 
ters were  transferred  to  Steuben  Presbytery,  and  the  Cattaraugus 
and  McKean  (Pa.) churches  to  Buffalo  Presbytery.  The  Presbytery 
of  Genesee  Valley  reported  to  General  Assembly  in  I860  1,068  com- 
municants, 1,252  in  1870,  and  1,326  in  1880.  It  belonged  to  the 
old  Synod  of  Genesee  from  its  organization  to  1870;  to  the  new 
Synod  of  Genesee,  formed  from  the  old  Synod  of  Genesee  (N.  S.) 
and  the  Synod  of  Buffalo  (0.  S.),  known  after  1871  as  the  Synod 
of  Western  New  York,  from  1870  to  1881;  and  to  the  Synod  of 
New  York  from  1881  to  1886. 

The  following  churches  were  enrolled  for  the  periods  named: 
Clean,  Portville,  Allegany,  Franklinville,  Cuba,  Angelica,  Cen- 
TERVILLE,  and  Almond,  1859-1886;  Burns,  1859-1878  (disband- 
ed); Arkport,  1859-1870;  Andover,  1860-1886;  Belmont,  1861- 
1886;  Belfast,  1862-1871  (disbanded);  Hornellsville,  1864- 
1870;  Hume,  1867-1873  (reorganized  as  Methodist);  Rushford, 
1868-1886;  Ellicottville,  1870-1886;  Salamanca,  1870-1875  (be- 
came Congregational);  Connewango,  1870-1875  (Buffalo  Presby- 
tery); Limestone,  1879-1886;  Bradford,  1879-1886;  Kendall  Creek, 
1879-1886;  and  Duke  Center,  1881-1886. 

In  1867  there  were  15  churches,  only  5  of  which,  Portville,  Glean, 
Angelica,  Cuba,  and  Almond,  had  settled  pastors.  Seven  of  these 
churches  reported  $372  given  for  Foreign  Missions;  9  reported  $858 
for  Home  Missions;  and  6  to  all  other  objects  11150  (of  which 
Angelica  gave  |580).  Only  6  churches  reported  prayer  meetings 
and  only  2  a  young  people's  meeting  before  the  Sunday  evening 
service.  In  all  133  were  added  to  the  membership.  In  1859  the 
comparative  strength  may  be  estimated  from  the  following  appor- 
tionment of  $62:  Almond,  $15;  Angelica,  Portville,  and  Clean, 
$10  each;  Cuba,  $8;  Allegany,  $3;  Burns,  Arkport,  and  Frank- 
linville, $2  each.  At  the  close  of  the  first  decade.  Almond  reported 
three  prayer  meetings,  250  at  morning  and  90  at  evening  service, 
280  in  the  Sunday  School,  $164  for  Home  and  Foreign  Missions, 
and  the  pastor's  salary  doubled  in  two  years.     Hume  had  19  mem- 


Rev.  MARCUS  N.  PRESTON,  Bath. 


Rev.  ERWIN  C.  HULL,  Arkport. 


Rev.  GEORGE  R.  SMITH,  CampbelL  Rev.  DUNCAN  CAMERON,  Canisteo. 


Rev.  EVAN  R.  EVANS,  Ph.  D.,  Canaseraga.  Rev.  GEORGE  M.  JANES,  Andover. 


GENESEE  VALLEY  PRESBYTERY.  27 

bers  and  30  in  the  S.  S.  Andover  reported  79  enrolled,  50  in  S.  S., 
and  $3.52  for  Home  Missions.  Belmont  had  79  members,  60  in  S. 
8.,  and  160  for  Home  Missions.  Angelica  reported  an  average  of 
35  at  weekly  prayer  meeting,  148  at  morning  and  113  at  evening 
service,  and  140  in  the  S.  S.,  with  71  average  attendance.  Cuba 
had  an  average  of  140  Sunday  morning,  60  Sunday  evening,  135  at 
S.  S.,  25  at  the  weekly  prayer  meeting,  and  reported  $140  for  Home 
and  Foreign  Missions.  Hornellsville  had  165  church  members,  110 
out  in  the  morning  and  90  in  the  evening,  140  at  S.  S.,  and  gave 
to  Home  Missions  $190. 

In  1859  Genesee  Valley  condemned  the  American  Tract  Society 
for  remaining  neutral  on  the  slavery  issue.  In  1864  it  adopted 
among  other  resolutions  on  temperance  the  following: 

"  We  regard  intemperance  as  one  of  the  works  of  the  flesh  which 
can  never  be  thoroughly  overcome  except  by  the  great  regenerative 
change  which  makes  all  things  new;  *  *  *  and  while  encouraging 
all  the  temperance  movements  of  the  day  *  *  *  we  yet  believe  the 
real  triumph  of  temperance  will  be  synchronous  with  the  triumph 
of  the  Gospel". 

As  early  as  1864  it  passed  resolutions  favoring  the  reunion  of  the 
Old  and  New  School  Churches.  Oct.  9,  1869,  General  Assembly's 
overture  proposing  reunion  was  answered  with  a  unanimous  affirma- 
tive. It  was  constantly  considering  the  Home  and  Foreign  Mission 
work,  and  as  only  half  of  its  churches  were  self-supporting  the 
question  of  weak  churches  was  always  up  for  consideration.  For  a 
year  or  two  at  the  beginning,  a  presbyterial  missionary  was  em- 
ployed. In  1860  he  received  $500  salary.  The  American  Home 
Missionary  Society  paid  $200;  the  weak  churches  in  which  he  la- 
bored, $150;  Angelica,  $45;  Almond,  $30;  Portville,  and  Cuba, 
$25  each;  Clean,  $15;  and  Arkport  and  Centerville,  $5  each. 
In  1867,  after  a  year's  consideration,  presbytery  recorded  several 
pages  of  reasons  why  taking  milk  on  the  Sabbath  to  a  cheese  factory 
was  in  its  opinion  unnecessary  labor.  As  early  as  1873,  the  syste- 
matic weekly  offering  was  urged  upon  the  churches  in  a  resolution 
beginning,  "  Whereas,  the  envelope  system,  by  which  its  propor- 
tion of  the  salary  is  paid  every  week,  seems  to  be  the  easiest  and 
best  method" —  etc.  There  was  a  thriving  Woman's  Presbyterial 
Mission  Society  which  in  1882  reported  over  $1,000  contributions. 
The  Bradford  Church  was  at  that  time  conducting  a  mission  among 
the  Chinese  of  that  city.  The  only  serious  case  of  discipline  was 
that  of  Rev.  William  Ingleby,  who,  after  an  exhaustive  trial  at  Cuba 
in  1885,  was  deposed  from  the  ministry  and  excommunicated  from 
the  church. 

For  several  years  after  1861  every  minister  came  to  stated  meet- 


28  GENESEE  VALLEY  PKESBYTERY. 

ings  of  presbytery  prepared  to  give  a  sermon  skeleton  from,  and  an 
exegesis  of,  passages  assigned  to  all  at  the  previous  meeting.  In 
1866  and  1867  the  elders  had  a  successful  "Elders'  Meeting"  in 
connection  with  presbytery  meeting.  For  several  years  presbytery 
met  on  Friday  and  remained  together  over  the  Sabbath.  In  1875, 
1876,  and  1877  a  presbyterial  visitation  was  carried  out — two  minis- 
ters appointed  by  presbytery  visiting  each  church  at  a  time  mutually 
convenient.  In  1878  a  ministerial  association  was  formed  to  meet 
the  day  before  presbytery  meeting. 

The  stated  clerks  of  Genesee  Valley  Presbytery  were:  1859,  Rev. 
Nathan  Allen,  Cuba;  1859-70,  Rev.  Isaac  G.  Ogden,  Portville,  and 
later  Almond;  1870-81,  Rev.  Joseph  E.  Tinker,  Portville;  1881-2, 
Rev.  John  R.  Findlay,  Bradford;  1882-3,  Rev.  John  C.  Taylor, 
Cuba;  1883-4,  Rev.  Dwight  K.  Steele,  Almond;  1884-5,  Rev. 
French  W.  Fisher,  Portville;  1885-6,  Rev.  David  McLeod,  Angelica. 

Presbytery  installed  and  released  the  following  pastors:  Nathan 
Allen,  Cuba,  Jan.  14,  1854  (Angelica  Presbytery)— July  19,  1859; 
Isaac  G.  Ogden,  Portville,  Nov.  3,  1859— Oct.  12,  1867;  £.  J. 
Stewart,  Franklinville,  Feb.  1,  1860— June  18,  1861;  J.  B.  Beau- 
mont, Clean,  June  5,  1862— Apr.  22,  1867;  Elias  L.  Boing, 
Angelica,  Oct.  12,  1864— Oct.  12,  1867;  Corliss  B.  Gardner, 
D.  D.,  Cuba,  June  6, 1865— Dec.  15, 1874;  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D., 
Almonl>,  Jan.  14,  1846  (Angelica  Presbytery)— Aug.  16,  1865;  G. 
R.  Alden,  Almond,  Nov.  14,  1866— June  3,  1867;  John  Reid, 
Angelica,  June  30,  1868— Apr.  14,  1874;  N.  M.  Clute,  Oleati, 
Sept.  29,  1869— Oct.  28,  1874;  Courtney  Smith,  Ellicottville,  Dec. 
29,  1871— Feb.  22,  1884  (died);  Dwight  K.  Steele,  Almond, 
June  2,  1875 — Dec.  11,  1884;  John  C.  Taylor,  Cuba,  June  6, 
1876— Jan.  4,  1883;  J.  VV.  Simpson,  Clean,  Sept.  16,  1880— Dec. 
1,  1880  (Synod  of  Western  New  York);  David  Winters,  Clean,  Apr. 
25,  1882— Apr.  15,  1884;  French  W.  Fisher,  Portville,  Sept.  27, 
1882— Oct.   6,    1885;  Robert  R.    Watkins,   Franklinville,  Oct.  25, 

1882 ;  Edward  Bryan,  Bradford,  Nov.  15,  1882 ;  David 

McLeod,  Angelica,  May  8,  1883— Dec.  8,  1889  (by  Steuben  Pres- 
bytery); Charles  P.  Luce,  Ph.  D.,  Cuba,  June  19,  1883— Dec.  2, 
1889  (Steuben  Presbytery);  Allen  G.  Daniels,  Ellicottville,  Sept.  23, 
1884— Oct.  27,  1885;  John  Burroughs,  D.  D.,  Clean,  Dec.  11,  1884 

;  and  Benjamin  VanCleve,  Andover,  June  10,  1886 — 

Apr.  21,  1889  (Steuben  Presbytery). 


GENESEh;  VALLEY  PKESBYTERY. 


29 


THE  MINISTERS  OF  GENESEE  VALLEY  PRESBYTERY  FROM  1859  TO  1886. 

NOTE. — Capitals  indicate  the  ministers  and  churches  known  to  have  been  within  the 
field  of  the  present  Steuben  Presbytery;  s — transferred  by  synod;  1 — by  letter;  o — ordina- 
tion: p— pastor;  pe— pastor  elect;  ss— stated  supply;  d — death;  and  sd— suspended  and 
deposed. 

NAMES.  FIELD.  RECEIVED.  DISMISSED. 


Sylvester  Cowies,  D.  D. 

s       Jan.  4,   185911 

Sept.  12,  1861 

ISAAC  G.  OGDEN. 

Portville.  p 

3       Jan.  4,   1859il 

ALMOND,  pe 

i 

Apr.    13,  1875 

.lohn  Niles  Hubbard. 

Dansville.  Ossian,  Burns,  ss 

Jan.  4,   1859; 

June  18,  1861 

NATHAN  ALLEN. 

CUBA,  p 

s        Jan.  4,  1859, 

July   19,  18.59 

HEN'RY  E.  NILES.  D.  D. 

ANGELICA,  ss 

Feb.  15.  1869' 

Nov.  3,  1859 

JOEL  WAKEMAN,  D.  D. 

ALMOND,  p 

1         Feb.  Ih,  1859 

1        Aug.   16,  1865 

Samuel  Porter. 

1        June  21,  1859 

1        Apr.  10,  1868 

J.  W.  LANE. 

CENTERVILLE.  ss 

1        June  22,1859; 

1        June  17.  1863 

JOHN  E   BAKER. 

ARKPORT  and  BURNS    p 

o       July   19,  1859 ii          Apr.    9;  1866 

J.  T.  Baldwin. 

1           Feb.  1,  18601 

1        Sept.  12,  1866 

E.  J.  Stewart 

PVanklinville.  p 

o         Feb.  1,  I860 

1        June  18,  1861 

WILLIAM  C.  WHITE. 

CUBA,  ss 

o        July  24,  1860 

,       Sept.  11,  1867 

E.  W.  STODDARD,  D.  D. 

ANGELICA,  ss 

1         Jan.  16.  1861 

Apr.  11,  1865 

ALLEN  TRAVER. 

BELMONT,  ss 

1        June  18,  1861 

1        Sept.  14,  1864 

Nathaniel  Hammond. 

1        June  18.  1861  d            "            1864 

J.  c;.  Richardson. 

o       Oct.  15,  1861  d                       1865 

MIL  ION  WALDO,  D.  D. 

HORNELLSVILLE.  ss 

1         Jan.  21,  186a 

s        June  29,  1870 

W.  P.  Teltsworth. 

0        Jan.  22,  1862 

1         Apr.   11,  1865 

J.  B.  Beaumont. 

Olean.  |i 

o       June  .5,1862  1        Apr.  22,1867 

E.  Hale. 

I        Jan.    20,  186.3  1           Oct.  8,  1866 

David  L  Hunn. 

1         Jan.  21,  186.3  1        Oct.   10,1871 

I.  N.  Crittenden. 

1         Sept.  3,  1863  1          Apr.  9,  1866 

PHILANDER  CAMP. 

ANDOVER.  ss 

1         Oct.  13,  1863 

s                         1870 

C.  M.  LIVINGSTONE. 

WELLSVILLE.  ss 

0        Aug.   fl,  1864 

1          Apr.  9,  1869 

ELI.\S  L.  BOING. 

ANGELICA,  p 

1          Oct.  11,  1864 

1           Apr.  8,  1870 

C.B.  GARDNER.  D.  D. 

CUBA,  p 

1         June  9,  1865  1        Dec-   15,1874 

J.  W.  LANE. 

RUSHFORD.  ss 

1            Oct.  9,  lS65|d                        1883 

J.  S.  BINGHAM. 

BELMONT,  ss 

1        Sept.  12,  1866 

AN  MOVER,  ss 

1           Apr.  9,  1872 

G.  R.  ALDEN. 

ALMOND,  p 

o        Nov.  14,  1866  1           Apr.  9,  1869 

S.  D.  W.  Westfall. 

1          Oct.  11,  1867 

1           Oct.  9,  1869 

Joseph  E.  Tinker. 

Franklinville.  ss 

1         Oct.  11,  1867 

Portville.  ss 

1        Apr.  10,  1882 

JO II N  REID. 

ANGELICA,  p 

1        Apr.   10,  1868 

I        Apr.  14,  1874 

N.  M.  Clute, 

Olean.  p 

1        Sept.  15,  1869 

1        Oct.   28,  1874 

UENJ.'VMIN  RUSSELL. 

ANDOVER,  ss 

1        Sept.  15,  1S69 

1        Sept.  23,  1873 

Erastus  W.  Twitchell. 

Allegany,  ss 

o       Sept.  28,  1869 

1870 

T   H.  QUIGLEY'. 

W^ELLSVILLE.  p 

1        Sept.  29,  1869 

s                        1870 

Courtney  Smith. 

Ellicottville.  p 

s       June  29,  1870 

d        Feb.  22,  U  84 

William  P.  Jackson 

s        June  29,  1870 

1          June  6,  1876 

L.  W   Billington. 

Allegany,  ss 

1          Oct.  10,  1871 

1        Apr.   10,  1877 

Nathaniel  Elmer. 

1          Oct.  10,  18T1 

1           Oct.  3,  1876 

E   WOODWARD  BROWN. 

WELLSVILLE.  ss 

1          Oct.  10,  1871 

1           Oct,  6,  1874 

P.  P.  Ossunkerheim. 

1            Oct.  1,  1872 

JOEL  WAKEMAN,  D.  D. 

ALMOND,  ss 

1       Sept.  23,  1873 

1        Apr.  14,  1874 

EREDS.  HAY'DEN. 

ANGELICA,  .ss 

0        Oct.  28,  1874 

1        Jan.    30,  1878 

DW^IGHT  K.  STEELE. 

ALMOND,  p 

1        Apr.  13,  1875 

1        Dec.  11,  1884 

J.  S.  BINGHAM. 

ANDOVER.  ss 

1        Apr.  16,  1875 

1        Sept.  11,  1882 

Henrv  M.  Curtis. 

Olean.  ss 

o       Aug.  12,  1875 

1        Jan.  28,1880 

JOHN  C.  TAYLOR. 

CUBA,  p 

1           Oct.  5,  1875 

1        Sept.  10,  1883 

John  L.  Landis. 

Franklinville.  ss 

1           Oct   5, 1875 

1        Apr.  12,  1876 

French  W.  Fisher. 

Franklinville.  ss 

1           Oct.  3,  1876 

Portville.  p 

1        Feb.   25,  1886 

ALBERT  C.  TITUS. 

ANDOVER.  ss 

1           Oct.  3,  1876 

1        Apr.   15,  1884 

JOEL  S.  KELSEY. 

BELMONT,  ss 

1         Apr.  10, 1877 

1           Jan.  4,  1883 

Sanmel  B  Stevenson 

Allegany,  ss 

1           Oct.  9,  1877 

1         Oct.  18,  1881 

Robert  G.  Williams. 

1           Oct.  9,  1877 

I                         1878 

ROBERT  R.  KENDALL. 

ANGELICA,  ss 

o       Jan.  30,  1878 

Oct.  6,  1886 

C.  W.  Goss. 

Kendall,  ss 

1           Oct.  1,1878 

1         Sept.  6,  1881 

John  R.  Findley. 

Bradford,  ss 

1         July  14,  1879 

1        Apr.  15,  1884 

J.  W.  Simpson. 

Olean.  p 

o       July  14,  1879 

1        Apr.  10,  1882 

E.  W.Fish. 

Franklinville.  ss 

1        Apr.  12,  1881 

1          Apr.  9,  1883 

David  Winters,  D.  D. 

Olean.  p 

1        Apr.  10,  1882 

1        Apr.  15,  1884 

JESSE  LEE. 

ANDOVER.  ss 

1         Apr.  11.  1882 

1         Apr.  15,  1884 

Edward  Bryan. 

Bradford,  p 

I          Oct.  25,  1882 

s         Oct  21,  1886 

Robert  R.  VVatkins. 

Franklinville.  p 

1          Oct.  26,  1882 

s        Oct.  21,  1886 

DAVID  McLEOD. 

(ANGELICA,  p 

1           May  8, 1888 

s        Oct.  21, 1886 

CHARLES  P.  LUCE,  Ph.D. 

ICUBA.  p 

o       June  19, 1883 

s        Oct.  21, 1886 

WILLIAM  INGLEBY. 

IRUSHFORD.  pe 

1        Sept.  10. 1883 

sd     Nov.  20,  1885 

James  A.  Greene. 

Allegany,  ss 

1        Apr.  15,  1884 

1         Feb.  25, 1886 

Allen  G.  Daniels. 

i Ellicottville.  p 

1        Sept.  23,  1884 

1         Oct.  27,  1885 

John  Burroughs.  D.  D. 

lOlean.  \> 

1        Dec.   11,  1884 

s       Oct.  21,  1886 

Henry  M.  Higley. 

[Kendall,  ss 

1        Dec.    11,  1884 

s       Oct.  21,  1886 

BENJAMIN    VANCLEVE. 

ANDOVER.  p 

0        June  10, 1886 

s        Oct.  21,  1886 

30  STEUBEN  PRESBYTERY. 

STEUBEN  PRESBYTERY  (1863-1897). 

The  Synod  of  Geneva  meeting  at  Elmira  Sept.  30,  1863,  created 
Steuben  Presbytery  by  adding  to  Bath  Presbytery  the  South  Steu- 
ben churches  enrolled  in  Chemung  Presbytery,  and  changing  its 
name  from  Bath  to  Steuben.  Technically  Steuben  was  not  a  new 
presbytery,  but  a  new  name  for  the  presbytery  organized  at  Pratts- 
burg  in  1817.  The  first  meeting  of  presbytery  under  its  new  name 
was  at  Howard  Jan.  13,  1863.  The  following  were  present:  Min- 
isters— David  D.  Gregory,  Prattsburg;  Suffrenos  Ottman,  Pulte- 
ney;  Stephen  Vorhis,  Hammondsport;  and  Mills  B.  Gelston,  Na- 
ples. Elders — Alexander  Conner,  Howard;  Elias  Wygant,  Pratts- 
burg; J.  A.  Otis,  Kanona;  Pliny  Cobb,  Painted  Post;  George  Tee- 
pie,  Campbell;  and  N.  C.  Taylor,  Canisteo. 

Steuben  Presbytery  began  with  19  churches.  Twelve  of  these 
were  in  Bath  Presbytery  when  the  name  was  changed  to  Steuben — 
Naples,  Prattsburg,  Cohocton,  Wayne,  Howard,  Pulteney,  Wheeler, 
Jasper,  Hammondsport,  Kanona,  Hornellsville,  and  Canisteo.  Sev- 
en of  them  were  transferred  from  Chemung  Presbytery — Corning, 
Campbell,  Addison,  Painted  Post,  Painted  Post  3d  (Caton),  Horn- 
by, and  Woodhull.  In  May,  1864,  Hornellsville  was  set  off  by  Gen- 
eral Assemby  to  Genesee  Valley  Presbytery.  June  13,  1866,  the 
Elk  Creek  Church  was  enrolled.  After  the  reunion  of  the  Old  and 
New  School  branches  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  1870,  presbytery 
was  reconstituted  by  the  Synod  of  Geneva,  holding  its  first  meeting 
by  Synod's  direction  at  Bath  Sept.  13,  1870.  The  only  change  was 
the  addition  of  4  ministers  and  3  churches — Bath  from  Genesee 
River  (Old  School)  Presbytery,  and  Hornellsville  and  Arkport  from 
Genesee  Valley  Presbytery.  For  24  years  Steuben  Presbytery  in- 
cluded the  same  terrritory  as  Steuben  county,  excepting  the  Naples 
Church  to  1883,  the  Hornellsville  Church  from  1864  to  1870,  and 
the  Arkport  Church  before  1870.  In  1886  by  the  action  of  the 
Synod  of  New  York  dissolving  the  Presbytery  of  Genesee  Valley, 
the  churches  and  ministers  of  Allegany  county  were  added  to  Steu- 
ben Presbytery.  This  action  transferred  3  ministers  and  the 
churches  of  Almond,  Angelica,  Andover,  Centerville,  Cuba,  Bel- 
mont, and  Rushford.  As  the  Naples  Church  was  transferred  to 
Geneva  Presbytery  in  1883,  since  1886  Steuben  Presbytery  has  cov- 
ered exactly  the  counties  of  Steuben  and  Allegany.  The  Caton 
Church  was  declared  extinct  in  1867,  the  Wayne  Church  in  1871, 
the  Kanona  church  in  1875,  the  Elk  Creek  Church  in  1893,  the 
Wheeler  Church  in  1894,  and  the  Rushford  Church  in  1897.  The 
Canaseraga  Church  was  enrolled  Apr.  16,  1873,  the  Hornellsville 
Hartshorn  Church  Feb.  17, 1891,  the  Atlanta  Church  July  23,  1894, 


Rev.  EDWARD  M.  DEEMS,  Ph.  D.,  HornellsviUe.      Rev.  JAMES  A.  MILLER,  Ph.  D.,  Angelica. 


Rev.  EDGAR  P.  SALMON,  CampbelL 


Rev.  JAMES  R.  ROBINSON.  A.  M.,  Painted  Post.  Rev.  ROBERT  CLEMENTS.  Cuba. 


STEUBEN  PRESBYTERY.  31 

and  the  Avoca  Church  July  30,  1896.  There  are  now  in  Steuben 
Presbytery  26  churches  and  30  ministers.  This  presbytery  reported 
to  General  Assembly  in  1870  1,500  communicants,  in  1880  2,239, 
in  1890  3,134,  and  in  1897  4,001.  And  contributions  to  missions 
have  risen  from  $1,026  in  1870  to  about  $4,000.  The  presbytery 
belonged  to  Geneva  Synod  until  m  1881  the  six  synods  of  the  State 
were  consolidated  into  the  present  Synod  of  New  York. 

Steuben  Presbytery  labored  earnestly  for  Reunion.  Among  reso- 
lutions recorded  June  14,  1865,  are  these: 

''That  we  believe  that  Divine  Providence  is  now  calling  us  as 
churches  to  become  one,  as  we  are  one  nation.  That  we  will  recom- 
mend to  our  members,  cleric  and  laic,  to  unite  with  either  branch 
indiscriminately,  as  though  we  believed  they  were  at  heart  one;  and 
that  we  will  endeavor  to  exchange  pulpits  with  and  extend  christian 
courtesies  to  the  other  [Old]  School;  and  pray  for  a  reunion,  and 
do  all  in  our  power  to  bring  it  to  pass". 

Resolutions  to  the  same  effect  were  recorded  Dec.  11,  1867.  The 
presbytery  Dec.  8,  1868,  voted  unanimously  in  the  affirmative  on 
an  overture  from  General  Assembly  proposing  a  basis  of  union  with 
the  Old  School  General  Assembly,  and  again  on  June  9,  1869. 

The  Reunion  Memorial  Fund  of  Steuben  Presbytery  amounted  to 
$42,411 — all  of  which,  excepting  $386,  was  devoted  to  home  pur- 
poses. The  following  are  the  churches  which  contributed  to  this 
fund,  with  the  amounts,  and  the  specific  objects:  Arkport,  $456, 
manse  and  church  erection;  Bath,  $3,630,  manse,  debt,  and  church 
erection;  Cohocton,  $1,600,  new  church;  Corning,  $15,100,  church 
debt,  and  Elmira  College;  Hammondsport,  $475,  organ;  Hornells- 
ville,  $5,000,  church  repairs;  Howard,  $1,400,  church  repairs; 
Jasper,  $3,500,  new  church;  Painted  Post,  $6,250,  new  church; 
Pulteney,  $3,000,  church  repairs;  and  Wheeler,  $2,000,  new  church. 

The  presbytery  was  incorporated  Sept.  15,  1875,  by  the  election 
of  six  trustees.  The  certificate  of  incorporation,  signed  by  John  E. 
Beecher,  moderator,  and  James  M.  Piatt,  stated  clerk,  was  filed  in 
the  Steuben  County  Clerk's  Office,  Nov.  6,  1875.  The  following 
have  served  as  trustees  of  presbytery:  Guy  H.  McMaster,  Bath, 
1875-88;  Zenas  L.  Parker,  Bath,  1875-92;  Henry  C.  May,  M.  D., 
Corning,  1875-92;  John  N.  Hungerford,  Corning,  1875-82;  T. 
Scott  Tiiacher,  Uornellsville,  1875-8;  Alonzo  VanWie,  Howard, 
1875-8;  Leander  Sutherland,  Campbell,  1878-81;  John  D.  Hamil- 
ton, Campbell,  1878-90;  George  W.  Nichols,  Hammondsport,  1883- 
7;  James  S.  Thorp,  Hammondsport,  1884-8;  D.  W.  Baldwin, 
Prattsburg,  1884-9;  Warren  S.  Hodgman,  Painted  Post,  1889-91; 
♦Francis   A.    Williams,    Corning,    1891-;    Amasa   B.    White, 

♦Small  capitals  indicate  the  present  trustees  of  presbytery. 


32  STEUBEN    PRESBYTERY. 

Campbell,  1891-;  John  P.  Parkhurst,  Bath,  189 1-;  Chauncey 
G.  Hubbard,  M.  D.,  Hornellsville,  1891-;  and  Clinton  H.  Miner, 
Cuba,  1896-. 

The  stated  clerks  have  been  the  following:  Rev.  Stephen  Vovhis, 
Hammondsport,  1862-5;  Rev.  William  A.  Niles,  D.  D.,  Corning, 
1865-70;  Rev.  James  M.  Piatt,  D.  D.,  Bath,  1870-84;  Rev.  Wil- 
liam A.  Niles,  D.  D.,  Hornellsville,  1884-9;  Rev.  Marcus  N.  Pres- 
ton, Bath,  1889-96;  Rev.  James  A.Miller,  Ph.  D.,  Angelica,  1896-. 
All  have  been  treasurers  of  presbytery  as  well. 

For  purposes  of  comparison,  some  of  the  figures  are  given  for 
1877,  and  again  for  1897:  Ministers,  13—30;  churches,  20—26; 
added  on  examination,  133 — 255;  added  on  certificate,  51 — 188; 
communicants,  2,006—4,001;  Sabbath  School  membership,  2,577— 
4,316;  Foreign    Missions,    $734—11,662;    Home   Missions,   $518— 

$2,287. 

The  presbytery  has  installed  and  released  the  following  ministers: 
David  D.  Gregory,  Prattsburg,  Oct.  26,  1859  (Bath  Presbytery)— 
June  13, 1866;  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D.,  Painted  Post,  Dec.  12, 1866— 
June  10,  1868;  William  A.  Niles,  D.  D.,  Hornellsville,  Sept.  11, 
1872— April  17,  1878;  Ziba  N.  Bradbury,  Howard,  Oct.  — ,  1872— 
June  30,  1876;  Charles  B.  Austin,  Cohocton,  Nov.  14,  1872— Feb. 
15,  1876;  ZibaN.  Bradbury,  Pulteney,  Sept.  — ,  1876— July  9,  1889; 
John  Waugh,  Cohocton,  Nov.  7,  1878— Apr.  3,  1893;  Daniel  J. 
Robertson,  Canisteo,  Sept.  15,  1880— Oct.  22,  1884;  Erwin  C.  Hull, 
Arkport,  June  25,  1885— Apr.  21,  1897;  Lester  S.  Boyce,  Almond, 
Sept.  13,  1887 — May  19,  1889;  Benjamin  VanCleve,  Audover,  June 
10,  1886  (Genesee  Valley  Presbytery) —Apr.  21,  1889;  Joseph  G. 
Snyder,  Belmont,  Oct.  30,  1889— Nov.  7,  1892;  David  McLeod, 
Angelica,  May  8,  1883  (Genesee  Valley  Presbytery) — Dec.  8,  1889; 

Edward  M.  Deems,  Ph.  D.,  Hornellsville  1st,   May  9,  1890 ; 

Charles  P.    Luce,    Ph.   D.,   Cuba,   July  12,    1883  (Genesee  Valley 
Presbytery) — Dec.  2,   1889;  George  W.  Warren,   Prattsburg,    Sept. 

10,  1890 ;    Wm.  G.  White,  Cuba,   Oct.   7,   1890— Jan.  20, 

1894;  James  A.    Miller,    Ph.    D.,  Angelica,   July  8,   1891 ; 

Wm.  C.  Mathews,   Pulteney,  Nov.  17,   1891— May  29,  1894;  Edgar 

P.  Salmon,  Campbell,  Oct.  6,  1892 ;  Robert  Clements,  Cuba, 

Apr.  18,  1894 ;  Alfred  J.  Hutton,  D.  D.,  Corning,  May  14, 

1895 ;  Frank   H.    Bisbee,    Almond,   May  15,    1895 ; 

Thomas  Kerr,   Atlanta,  June  6,   1895 ;  Herbert  W.  Knox, 

Belmont,   May  11,  1896 ;  and  Charles  Noble  Frost,  Bath, 

June  4,  1896 . 


Rev.  FRANK  H.   BISBEE,  Almond.  '^"^-  ALFRED  J.   HUTTON,  D.  D.,  Corning. 


Rev    HEZEKIAH  WEBSTER,  Howard. 


Rev.  WILLIAM  A.   REID,  Ph.  D.,  Pulteney.  Rev.  FRED  E.  WALTON,  Hornellsville 


STEUBEN  PRESBYTERY.  33 

In  1890  the  presbytery,  answering  an  overture  of  General  Assem- 
bly, took  the  following  position  regarding  the  Confession  of  Faith: 

"  We  do  desire  certain  changes  which  seem  to  us  urgently  needed 
and  widely  demanded,  First,  that  the  3d  chapter  be  so  recast  as  to 
teach  these  things  only,  and  these  distinctly:  the  divine  sovereignty 
in  election,  the  equal  love  of  God  to  all  mankind,  a  salvation  in 
Christ  Jesus  provided  for  and  available  for  every  sinner,  and  to  be 
preached  to  every  creature  for  immediate  acceptance.  Secondly, 
that  the  10th  chapter  be  so  revised  that  no  discrimination  be  made 
or  implied  concerning  '  infants  dying  in  infancy'  (sec.  31);  that  sec. 
4  be  so  changed  as  to  teach  that  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons;  but 
in  every  nation  he  that  feareth  Him,  and  worketh  righteousness,  is 
acceptable  to  Him;  and  not  to  teach  the  damnation  of  all  heathen, 
nor  deny  that  there  may  be  heathen  who  are  saved  by  Christ  through 
the  Spirit.  Thirdly,  that  chapter  24,  sec.  3,  be  so  changed  as  to 
omit  all  reference  to  Catholics  as  '  idolaters';  and  chapter  25,  sec.  6, 
so  changed  as  not  to  designate  the  Pope  as  '  Anti-Christ,  man  of  sin, 
and  son  of  perdition'.  Furthermore,  your  committee  recommends 
this  presbytery  to  overture  General  Assembly  to  formulate  a  short 
and  simple  creed,  couched,  as  far  as  may  be,  in  Scripture  language, 
and  containing  all  the  essential  articles  of  the  Westminster  Confes- 
sion, which  creed  shall  be  submitted  for  approval  and  adoption  as 
the  common  creed  of  the  Presbyterian  and  Reformed  churches  of 
the  world,  if  their  cooperation  in  the  forming  of  such  a  creed  can  be 
obtained". 

A  marked  movement  of  the  last  decade  has  been  the  development 
of  distinctively  religious  work  by  the  young  people  along  the  lines 
of  Christian  Endeavor.  Existing  societies  of  the  young  people  were 
reorganized  as  Young  People's  Societies  of  Christian  Endeavor  and 
similar  societies  of  Christian  Endeavor  have  been  organized  in  all 
the  other  churches.  In  a  majority  of  the  churches  are  Junior 
Christian  Endeavor  societies.  Dec,  5,  1893,  a  very  successful  Pres- 
byterial  Conference  of  the  Young  People's  Societies  of  Christian 
Endeavor  was  held  at  Canisteo.  In  December,  1894,  there  was  a 
presbyterial  visitation  of  the  societies  of  Christian  Endeavor — meet- 
ings being  held  in  all  the  churches  of  presbytery  during  one  week, 
with  two  ministers  from  outside  at  each  meeting.  In  December, 
1896,  a  similar  visitation  in  the  interest  of  missions  was  carried  out 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Christian  Endeavor  societies. 


u 


STEUBE^T    PRESBYTERY. 


THE  MINISTERS  OF  STEUBEN  PRESBYTERY  FROM  1862  TO  1897. 


NOTE.— Capitals  indicate  tiie  present  membei-s  of  Steuben  Presbytery;  s— transferred 
by  synod;  1— by   letter;    o— ordination :    ss-stated    supply;   p— pastor;   hr— honorably  re- 
tired- pe— pastor  elect;  wc— without  charge;  fm— foreign  missionary;  e— editor;  d— death. 
NAMES.  FIELD.  RECEIVED.  DISMISSED. 

Samuel  White. 
James  Rowlett. 
David  F.  Judsou. 
George  Spalding. 
Mills  B.  Gelston. 
Charles  T.  White,  D.  D. 
Stephen  Vorhis. 
Samuel  A.  Rawson. 
David  D.  Gregory. 
Sutfreuos  Ottinan. 
Lewis  F.  Laine. 

Lafayette  F.  Dudley. 
Ziba  N.  Bradbury. 


William  A   Niles,  D.  D. 

Hiram  E.  Johnson. 
William  A.  Wolcott. 
Fordyce  Harrington. 
Joel  Wakeman.  D.  D. 
Albo  L.  Greene. 
Charles  Milne. 
Ova  H.  Seymour. 
D.  Henry  Palmer,  D.  D. 
Wilhain  J.  Parrott. 
P.  H.  Burghardt. 
James  H.  Board. 

Alexander  Gulick. 
Darwin  Chichester. 
James  M.  Piatt,  D.  D. 
Albert  W.  Hubbard. 
James  M.  Harlowe. 
Milton  Waldo,  D.  D. 
Charles  Simpson. 
Samuel  W.  Pratt. 

J.  Shepard  Bingham. 
John  C  Morgan. 
Anson  G.  Chester,  D.  D. 
(Tharles  B.  Austin. 
John  V.  C  Neliis,  Ph.  D. 
Theodore  B.  Williams. 
Theron  L.  Waldo. 

Elias  Child. 
J.  Hallock  Browne. 
John  E.  Beecher. 
Alphonso  R.  Olney,  D.  D. 
M.  L.  P.  Hill,  D.  D. 
George  N .  Todd. 
George  Spalding. 
Clark  B.  Gillette. 
W.  Henry  Niles. 
Horatio  Pattengill,  D.  D. 
Byron  Bosworth. 
Frederick  D.  Seward. 
Ephraim  W.  Kellogg. 
ARTHUR  N.  BRUEN. 

William  C.  Austin. 
JOHN  WAUGH. 

JOHN  L.  JENKINS. 

Daniel  J.  Robertson. 
Lawrence  M.  Stevens. 
JOEL  WAKEMAN,  D.  D. 
Benjamin  F.  Millard. 
Alvin  Cooper. 


' 

s      Sept.  .30.  1862 

d 

1864 

s      Sept.  30,  1863 

d 

Mar.  29,  1884 

Addison,  ss 

s      Sept.  30.  1S62 

d 

Nov.  22.  1867 

s      Sept.  .30,  1862 

June  16,  1863 

Naples,  ss 

s      Sept.  30,  1862 

1 

Sept.  13,  1876 

India,  fm 

s      Sept.  .30,  1862 

s 

Sept.  13,  1870 

Hammondsport.  ss 

s      Sept.  30,  1862 

1 

June  18,  1866 

Jasper  and  Woodhull.  ss. 

s      Sept.  oO,  1862 

1 

June  11,  1877 

Prattsburg.  p 

s      Sept.  30,  1862 

1 

Dec.  11,  1877 

Pultenej-.  ss 

s      Sept.  30,  1862 

Canisteo.  ss 

s      Sept.  30,  1862 

Canisteo.  hr 

d 

Dec.  9,  1891 

1         Jan.  1.3,  1863 

s 

Sept.  13,  1870 

Howard,  ss 

o        Jan.  14, 1863 

Pulteney.  ss 

Howard,  p 

Pulteney.  p 

Almond,  ss 

Howard,  ss 

d 

Apr.  4,  1893 

Corning,  ss 

1        June  16,  1863 

1 

Hornellsviile.  p 

1 

Nov.  30,  1889 

Painted  Post,  ss 

1        June  16,  1863 

June  13,  1866 

Campbell,  ss 

1        June  16,  1863 

d 

Nov.  29, 1866 

Campbell,  ss 

1        Sept.  28,  1864 

1 

Oct.  18,  1883 

Painted  Post,  p 

1        Dec.   13,  1865 

1 

Sept.  11,  1872 

Pulteney.  ss 

o       Dec.  13,  186.0 

1 

Dec.   11,  1867 

Howard,  ss 

1        June  11,  1867 

1 

Jan.  8,  1869 

Hammondsport.  ss 

1         Dec.  10. 1H67 

1 

Dec.  14,  1S69 

Prattsburg.  ss 

1        June  1(1,  1868 

1 

Apr.  16,  1872 

Addison,  ss 

1           Dec.  8,  186^ 

1 

Oct.  19,  1870 

Painted  Post    pe 

1            Dec.  8,  1868 

1 

Sept.  lu,  1873 

Howard,  ss 

1         .lunefi.  1869 

Canaseraga.  ss 

1 

Apr.  22,  1885 

Jasper  and  Woodhull.  ss 

1          June  i),  1869 

1 

Sept.  9,  1873 

Hammondsport.  ss 

1         Dec.  14,  1869 

d 

Jan.  11,  1876 

Bath,  ss 

s       Sept,  13,  1870 

d 

Apr.  14,  1884 

Woodhull.  ss 

s       Sept.  13,  1870 

1 

Oct.  18,  18T1 

. 

s       Sept.  13,  1870 

1 

Sept.  14,  1870 

Hornellsviile.  ss 

s       Sept.  13,  1870 

1 

Sept.  11,  1872 

Addison,  ss 

1        Apr.   18,  1871 

1 

Apr.  1.5,  1873 

Prattsburg.  ss 

1        Apr.  16,  1872 

Campbell,  ss 

1 

Aug.  27,  18S3 

1        Apr.   16,  1872 

1 

Oct.  21,  1874 

1        Sept.  10.  1872 

d 

Sept.  19,  1S76 

Corning,  ss 

1        Sept.  11,  1872 

1 

Sept.  13.  1876 

Cohocton.  p 

o        Nov.  14.  1872 

1 

Feb.  15.  1876 

Addison,  ss 

1         Apr.  1.5,  1873 

1 

Apr.  21,  1875 

Campbell,  ss 

o        Apr.16,  18T3 

1 

Apr.  18,  1876 

Pulteney.  ss 

1          Sept    9,  1873 

Painted  Post,  ss 

1 

Apr.  20,  1S81 

1          Sept.  8,  1874 

d 

Apr.  17,  1895 

^Canisteo.  ss 

1          Sept.  9,  1874 

1 

Sept.  9,  1879 

1  Jasper  and  Woodhull.  ss 

0        Apr.  21,  187511 

Sept.  11.  1877 

Addison,  ss 

1        Sept.  14,  18751 1 

Sept.  14,  1881 

1  Corning,  pe 

1        Feb.   15,  187611 

Sept   13,  1887 

Arkport.  ss 

1        Apr.  18,  1876!d 

Apr.  1,  1887 

1        Apr.  18,  1876|d 

Nov.  28,  1886 

Campbell,  ss 

1        June  20,  187611 

Sept.  11,  1877 

0       Sept.  13,  187611 

Sept.  13,  1876 

1         Oct.  25, 1876ld 

Jan.  28,  1891 

Hammondsport.  ss 

1         Apr.  18,  1877|1 

Sept.  10,  1890 

Prattsburg.  ss 

1        Sept.  11,  1877  1 

Apr.  28,  1879 

'Howard,  ss 

1       Sept.  11,1877,1 

Apr.  20,  1881 

Jasper  and  Woodhull.  ss 

o       Sept.  12,  1877 

Jasper,  wc 

Naples,  ss 

o         Oct.  26,  187711 

June  30,  1881 

Cohocton.  p 

1            Oct.  2,  1878! 

Cohocton.  hr 

.Jasper  and  Woodhull.  ss 

1         Sept.  fl,  1879 

Preston,  la.  hr 

Canisteo.  p 

0       .Sept.  23,  1879:1 

Apr.  22,  1885 

Prattsburg.  ss 

1          Oct.  29,  1879  1 

Apr.  18,  1888 

Campbell,  hr 

1          Apr.  21,  1880 

Naples,  ss 

1         Apr.  20,  1881  il 

Apr.  16,  1884 

Howard,  ss 

1            Oct.  5,  188 

il 

Sept,  15.  1885 

STEUBEN  PRESBYTERY. 

35 

NAMES. 

FIELD. 

RECEIVED. 

DISMISSED. 

Frederick  Campbell. 

Painted  Post,  ss 

o       Feb.  26,  1882 

1        Apr.   16,  1884 

William  H.  Rice. 

Addison,  ss 

1          Oct.  18,  1882 

1           Apr.  4,  1893 

JOHN  S.  BACON. 

Corning,  ss 
Pulteney.  wc 

1        Apr.  18,  1883 

Chas.  M.  Livingstone. 

Campbell,  ss 

1        Sept.  11,  1883 

1       Sept.  15,  1885 

Minor  Swick. 

Jasper  and  Woodhull.  ss 

1         Apr.  16.  1884 

1         Apr.  IT,  1889 

ERWIN  C.  HULL, 

Arkport.  p 

1        Apr.  22,  1885 

Marcus  N.  Preston . 

Bath,  ss 

1        Apr.  22,  1885 

1         Apr.  22,  1890 

Alvin  W.  Cooper. 

Siam.  fm 

o       Sept.  15. 1885 

1       Sept.  15, 1885 

George  R.  Smith. 

Campbell,  ss 

1         Apr.  19,  1886 

1         July  15,  1892 

Alanson  Bixby. 

Hornby,  ss 

1        Apr.  20,  1886 

1        Apr.  19, 1887 

l>avid  McLeod. 

Angelica,  p 

s        Oct.   21,  1886 

1          Apr  — ,  1892 

Charles  P.  Luce,  Ph.  D. 

Cuba,  p 

s       Oct.  21,1886 

1           Dec.  2,  1889 

Benjamin  VauCleve. 

Andover.  p 

s        Oct.   21,  1886 

1         Apr.  17, 1889 

William  C.  Brass 

Canaseraga.  ss 

0        Apr.  19,  1887 

1        Sept.  12,  1888 

Henrv  W.  H.  Watkins. 

Rushford.  ss 

1       Sept.  13,  188T 

1        Mar.  22,  1889 

John  M.  Wolcott. 

Prattsburg.  ss 

1       Sept.  13,  1887 

1         Apr.  16,  1890 

Lester  S  Boyce. 

Almond,  p 

o       Sept.  13,  1887 

1          Apr.  17,  1889 

Smith  Ordway. 

o       Apr.  18, 1888 

1         Apr.  18,  1888 

Augustus  Cone. 

Rushford.  ss 

1       Sept.  12,  1888 

1         Apr.  20,  1892 

DUNCAN  CAMERON. 

Canisteo.  ss 

1       Apr.  17,  1889 

Martin  E.  Grant. 

Hammondsport.  ss 

1       Apr    17,  1889 

1        Sept.  10, 1889 

EVAN  R.  EVANS,  Ph.  D. 

Canaseraga.  ss 

I       Sept.  10,  1889 

GEORGE  M.  JANES. 

Andover.  ss 

1        Sept.  10,  1889 

Daniel  W.  Marvin. 

Canaseraga.  hr 

1        Sept.  n,  1889 

d        Aug.  31,  1895 

John  S.  Niles. 

o      Sept.  11,1889 

1         Oct.  30,  1889 

George  F.  Wood. 

Hornby,  ss 

o      Sept.  11,  1889 

1        Sept.  10, 1890 

Joseph  G.  Snyder. 

Belmont,  p 

o       Oct.  30,  1889 

1          Apr.  3,  1893 

Edwin  H.  Burgess. 

Jasper  and  Woodhull.  ss 

o       Nov.  13,  1889 

1       Sept.  16,  1891 

EDW'D   M.  DEEMS.  Ph.  D. 

Hornellsville  1st.  p 

1         Apr.  16,  1890 

William  Veenschoten. 

Hornellsville  Hartshorn,  ss 

1         Apr.  16,  1890 

1         Apr.  14. 1894 

Alfred  T.  Vail. 

Hammondsport.  ss 

1          Apr.  16,  1890 

1         Apr.  16, 1895 

Augustus  Frederick. 

Painted  Post,  ss 

1         Apr.  16,  1890 

1        Apr.  19,1892 

GEORGE  W.  WARREN. 

Prattsburg.  p 

o      Sept.  10,  1890 

William  G.  White. 

Cuba    p 

o           Oct.  7, 1890 

1         Jan.  20,  1894 

DANIEL  MACKAY. 

Addison,  ss 

1          Apr  22,  1891 

JAMES  A.  MILLER,  Ph.  D. 

Angelica,  p 

0          July  8,  1891 

William  C.  Matthews. 

Pulteney.  p 

1        Nov.  17,  1891 

1         Feb.  28,  1895 

SAMUEL  W.  PRATT. 

Campbell,  e 
Avoea.  ss 

1        Apr.  19,  1892 

Daniel  Redmond,  Ph.  D. 

New  York,  ss 

0        Apr.  20,  1892 

1        Apr.  20,  1892 

Charles  W.  Maccarthy. 

Jasper  and  Woodhull.  ss 

1         Apr.  20,  1892 

1        Apr.  28,  1896 

EDGAR  P.SALMON. 

Campbell,  p 

1        Sept.  14,  1892 
1           Oct  6,  1892 

Joseph  D.  Hillman. 

Almond,  ss 

1         Jan.  18, 1894 

James  R.  Robinson. 

Painted  Post,  ss 

1        Apr.  18,  1893 

1         Apr.  21,  1897 

D.  Albert  Blose. 

Belmont,  ss 

1        Apr.  18,  1893 

1         Apr.  22.  1896 

George  F.  Danforth. 

Hornellsville  Hartshorn,  ss 

1       Sept.  13,  1893 

1        Sept.  19,  1894 

Jo.seph  P.  White. 

Howard,  ss 

1        Apr.  18,  1894 

1       Sept.  19,  1894 

FRANKS.  SWAN,M.  D. 

Cohocton.  ss 

1        Apr.  18,  1894 

.lames  S.  Wilkes. 

Silver  Lake,  ss 

o        Apr.  18,  1894 

1         Apr.  16, 1895 

FRANK  H.  BISBEE. 

Almond,  p 

o        Apr.  18, 1894 

ROBERT  CLEMENTS. 

Cuba,  p 

o        Apr.  18,  1894 

HENRY  W.  H.  WATKINS 

Hornby,  ss 

1        Sept.  19,  1894 

ALFRED  J.  HUTTON,  D.D. 

Corning,  p 

1        Apr.  16,  1895 

HEZEKIAH  WEBSTER. 

Howard    ss 

1        Apr,  16, 1895 

THOMAS  KERR. 

Atlanta,  p 

o         June  6,  1895 

CHARLES  L.  LUTHER. 

Hammondsport.  ss 

1        Sept.  18,  1895 

Andrew  McC.  Brown. 

Hornellsville  Hartshorn,  ss 

1        Sept.  27, 1895 

1        Mar.  30,  1896 

WILLIAM  A.  REID,  Ph.  D. 

Pulteney.  ss 

1        Apr.  22,1896 

CHAS.  NOBLE  FROST. 

Bath,  p 

!        Apr.  22,  1896 

ALBERT   R.  CRAWFORD. 

Jasper  and  Woodhull.  ss 

1        Apr.    22,  1896 

HERBERT  W.  KNOX. 

Belmont,  p 

o       May  11,  1896 

FRED  E.  WALTON. 

Hornellsville  Hartshorn,  ss 

1        Sept.  16,  1896 

BENJ.  B.  KNAPP. 

Painted  Post,  pe 

1        Apr.  21,  1897 

JAY  FORBES  ROBINSON. 

Arkport,  ss 

o      Apr.  21,1897 

36 


YEARS — PLA  CES— -MODERATORS, 

STATED  MEETINBS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIES. 


GENEVA  PRESBYTERY. 


Place. 

1805  Geneva. 

1806  Geneseo. 

1806  Aurelius. 

1807  Geneva. 

1807  Milton. 

1808  Palmyra. 
1808  Aurelius. 


Moderator. 
J.  Chapman. 
D.  Higgins. 
J.  Chapman. 
D.  Higgins. 
H.N.Woodruff 
D.  Higgins. 
J.  Chapman. 


1809  E.  Bloomfleld.H.N. Woodruff. 


1809  Onondaga. 

1810  Geneva. 

1810  Romulu.s. 

1811  Ovid. 

1811  Geneva. 

1812  Seneca  Falls. 

1812  Gorham. 

1813  Honeyoye, 
1813  Phelps. 


D.  Higgins. 
O.  Ayer. 

C.  Mosher. 
O.  Ayer. 

J.  Lindsley. 
J.  Chapman. 
A.  C.  Collins. 

D.  Tuller. 
W.  Clark. 


1814  W.  Bloomfleld.H.  Axtell. 


1814  Bath. 

1815  Geneva. 

1815  Lyons. 

1816  Elmira. 

1816  Romulus. 

1817  Prattsburg. 

1817  Bath. 

1818  Wayne. 


J.  H.Hotchkin 
D.  Higgins. 
W.  Clark. 
D.  Higgins. 
J.  Merrill. 
D.  Higgins. 
D.  Higgins. 
J.H.Hotchkin. 


1818  Alfred(AlmndjE.  Lazel. 


1819  Elmira. 

1819  Pulteney. 

1820  Naples. 

1820  Bath. 

1831  Prattsburg. 

1821  Elmira. 

1822  Painted  Post. 

1822  Angelica. 

1823  Prattsburg. 

1823  Naples. 

1824  Bath. 

1 824  Wayne. 
1825Southport. 

1825  Cohocton. 

1826  Dansville. 

1826  Almond. 

1827  Elmira. 

1827  Prattsburg. 

1828  Big  Flats. 


H.  Woodruff. 
D.  Higgins. 
R.  Hubbard. 
D.  Higgins 
U  Barrett. 
D.  Higgins. 
L.  Barrett. 
D.  Higgins. 
H.  Ford. 
D.  Higgins. 
R  Hubbard. 
D.  Higgins. 
H.  Ford. 
B.  Hotchkin. 
H.  Ford. 
B.  Hotchkin. 
D.  Higgins. 
D.  Higgins. 
M.  Hunter. 


ANGEUCA  PRESBYTERY. 


1828  Mead's  Creek.D.  Higgins. 


Place. 
Angelica. 
Angelica. 
Black  Creek. 


1829  Starkey.  D.  Higgins 

1829  Cohocton.  D.  Higgins. 

1830  Southport.        D.  Harrowar.  Angelica. 

1830  Naples.  D.  Higgins.       Franklinville 

1831  Havana.  1).  Higgins.       Centerville. 

1831  Bath.  D  Higgins.       Angelica. 

1832  Elmira.  D.  Harrowar.  Almond. 
mi2  Lawreneeville.D.  Higgins.      Portage. 
18.3;3  Horseheads.      A.  Donalson.   Pike  Hollow. 
ISSii  Prattsburg.       B.  F.  Pratt.       Philipsburg 
1834  Painted  Post.   I.  W.  Piatt 


1834  Bath. 

1835  Campbell. 
1835  Big  Flats. 
18.36  Elmira. 
18.36  Hornellsville. 


18.38  Pulteney 

1838  Bath. 

1839  Tyrone. 

1839  Dundee. 

1840  Howard. 
1840  Naples. 


Nunda 
Franklinville, 
Centerville 
Portageville. 


D.  Higgins. 

E.  D.  Wells. 

B.  F.  Pratt. 
J.H.Hotchkin.  Friendship, 

C.  Goodrich.     Ossian. 
1837  Ham'ondsportJ. H.Hotchkin.  Angelica. 
1837  Dundee.            is.  White.  Franklinville, 

J.H.Hotchkin.  Angelica. 
B.  F.  Pratt.      Centerville. 
B.  F.  Pratt.       Cuba. 
J.H  Hotchkin.  Phillipsville 
J.  Rowlett.        Allen. 
R.  E.  Willson.  Nunda. 
1841  Ham'ondsport  D.  I.  Perry.       Almond. 

1841  Wayne.  E.  Everett,        Angelica. 

1842  Prattsburg.       B.  F.  Pratt.       Rushford. 

1842  Bath.  R.  E.  Willson    Hume. 

1843  Rock  Stream.  J.H.Hotchkin.  Nunda. 

1843  Pulteney.  S.  White.  Dansville. 

1844  Ham'ondsportJ.H. Hotchkin.  Cuba. 
1844  Hornellsville.  R  E.  Willson.  Caneadea. 


Moderator. 
M.  Hunter. 
R.  Kurd. 
S.  Hubbard. 
R.  Hubbard. 
R.  Hurd. 
A.  Caldwell. 
R.  Hubbard. 
J.  Spicer. 
M.  Hunter. 
M.  Hunter. 
A.  Caldwell. 
M.  Hunter. 
W.PKendrick. 
A.  Johnson. 
A.  Caldwell. 
M.  Hunter. 
W.P.Kendrick 
M  Hunter. 
.  L.  Hall. 
A.  S.  Allen. 
P.  Smith. 
A.  S.  Allen. 
A.  Parmelee. 
W.  Tileson. 
A.  Littlejohn. 
R.  H.Conklin. 

A.  S.  Allen. 

B.  Russell. 
R.  H.  Conklin. 
A.  Parmelee. 
R.  H.  Conklin. 
A.  S.  Allen. 
H.  Snyder. 


CHEMUNG  PRESBYTERY. 


Place. 
Big  Flats. 
Southport. 
Painted  Post. 
Horseheads. 
Addison. 
Millport. 
Mead's  Creek. 
Havana. 
Campbell. 
Chemung. 
Big  Flats. 
Painted  Post. 
Elmira. 
Millport. 
Athens. 
Addison. 
Elkland. 


Moderator. 
J  Frost. 
J.  Frost. 
J.  Smith. 
D.  I.  Pefry. 

D.  B.  Butts. 
J.  Gray. 

G.  Spalding 
N.  Pratt. 
O.  Catlin. 
P.  H.  Fowler. 

E.  D.  Wells. 

F   L.  Whiting. 
C.  C.  Carr. 
S.  S.  Howe. 
C.  Thurston. 
S.J.McCul'o'gh 
B.  F.  Pratt. 


YEARS — PLACES — MODERATORS. 
BATH  PRESBYTERY.      ANGELICA  PRESBYTERY.  CHEMUNG 


1845 
1845 
1K46 
1846 
1847 
1H47 
1848 
184S 
1849 
1849 
1860 
1850 
1851 
1851 
18S-3 
1852 
1863 
1853 
1854 
1854 
1855 
1855 
1856 

isse 

1857 
1857 
1858 
1858 
1859 
1859 
1860 
1860 
1861 
1861 
1862 
1862 


Place.  Moderator. 

Prattsburg.  B.  C.  Smith. 

Eddytown.  J.  C.  Morgan. 

Bath.  R.  E.  Willson. 

Naples.  J.H.  Hotchkin, 

Prattsburg.  S.  White. 

Hornellsville.  G.  T.  Everest. 
Ham'ondsportJ.  Smith. 


Howard. 

Rock  Stream. 

Dundee. 

Bath. 

Prattsburg. 

Oohocton. 

Tyrone. 

Prattsburg. 

Bath. 

Naples. 

Eddytowu. 


Place. 
Rushford. 
Centerville. 
Almond. 
.Angelica. 
Cuba. 
Burns. 
Almond. 
.Andover. 
Rushford. 


Moderator. 
A.  S.  Allen. 
C  Crocker. 
W.  F.Curry. 
W.  F.  Curry. 
H.  Eraser. 
H.  Snyder. 
R.  Twitchel. 


Place 
Havana. 
Campbell. 
Elmira. 
Painted  Post. 
Big  Flats 
Mead  s  Creek 
Elmira. 


S.  A.  Rawson.  Dix. 

H.  Snyder.        Horseheads. 


Hornellsville.  G.  Spalding. 
Jasper.  G.  Spalding. 

Ham'ondsportB.  C.  Smith. 


J.H.  Hotchkin, 

E.Pratt. 

B.  C.  Smith.      Phillipsburg.    N.  Hammond.Southport 

L.  Rose.  "  —   _   -  .  .    I' 

F,  S.  Gaylord. 
O.  Eraser. 
B.  Ru.ssell. 
H.  Pattengill. 
B.  C  Smith. 

G.  T.  Everest. 
K.  Benedict, 


Pulteney. 

Bath. 

Cohocton. 

Canisteo. 

Howard. 

Cohocton. 

Pulteney. 

Hornellsville. 

Jasper. 


S.  M.  Day. 
H.  Pattengill. 
M.  B.  Gelston. 

E.  Benedict. 

F.  V.  Warren. 
W.  R.  Downs. 

G.  Spalding. 
M.  \i.  Gelston 
S.  A.  Rawson 


Burns. 

Almond. 

Friendship. 

i'riendship. 

Black  Creek. 

Phillipsville. 

Almond. 

Arkport. 

Cuba. 

Angelica. 

Andover. 

Whitesville. 

Almond. 

Scio. 


W.  F.  Curry. 
J.  Wynkoop. 
J.  Wynkoop. 
IX  Russell 
T.  Blair. 
J.  Wynkoop. 


Addi.son 

Havana. 

Factoryville. 

Corning. 

Mead's  Creek 

Jefferson. 


C.L.Flemenb'gPainted  Post 
J.  Vanantwerp.  Athens. 
J.  Wakeman.  Millport. 
N.  Allen.  Addison. 

N.  Allen.  Elmira. 

S.  A.  Rawson.  Campbell. 
N.  Hammond.  Waverly. 
J.  Wakeman.   Big  Flats, 

Horseheads. 


GENESEE  VALLEY 
PRESBYTERY. 


HaurondsportJ.  Woodruff 
Naples.  I  >.  D.  Gregory 

Bath.  G.  Spalding 

Prattsburg.      W.  R.  Downs. 
Ham'ondsportS.  Ottman. 
Hornellsville.    S.  A.  Rawson. 


Almond. 
Angelica. 
Scio 

.Portville. 
Olean. 
Centerville. 
Belmont. 
Olean. 


J.  Cowles. 
I.  G.  Ogden. 


M  onterey. 

Corning. 

Watkins. 

Waverly. 

Addison. 


J.  .X.  Hubbard.southport. 
J.  Wakeman.    Havana 
i- ,?;  ^^^Pr  ^  Horseheads. 
E.\\  .Stoddard  Painted  Post. 
J.  Wakeman.   Elmira 
M.  Waldo.        Big  Flats. 


37 

PRESBYTERY. 
Moderator. 

E.  Pratt. 

L.  Hamilton. 
M.  Huggins. 
B.M.Goldsm'th 
P.L.D.S.Croix. 
.  D.  A.  Abbey. 
H.  Pattengill. 
A.  H  .Parmelee. 
J.  Gray. 
P.  H.  Fowler. 

C.  C.  Carr 

A.  L.  Brooks. 
M.  Huggins. 

B.  F.  Pratt. 
.  G.  Hood. 

D.  Murdock. 
N.  Elmer. 

S.  B.  Shearer. 
R.  McMath. 
R.  E.  Willson. 

B.  F.  Pratt. 
R.  H.  Close. 

C.  Thurston. 
J.  Gray. 

F.  Harrington. 
C.  Chapman. 

C.  C.  Carr. 
O.  Crane. 

D.  Chichester. 
D.  Murdock. 
A  W.  Cowles. 
F  S.  Howe. 
S.  M.  Day. 
W.  A.Niles. 
C.  C.  Carr. 

G.  C  Curtis. 


STEUBEN  PRESBYTERY. 


1863  Howard.  C  Vorhis.  Angelica. 

1863  Campbell.  M.  B.  Gelston.  Cuba. 
Ir<ti3  Portville. 

1864  Painted  Post.  H.  E.  Johnson. Andover. 
1864  Canisteo  L.  F.  Laine.      Angelica. 

1864  Corning.  F.  Harrington. 

1 865  Prattsburg.  S.  Vorhis.  Almond. 

1865  Addison  W.  A   Niles.     Hornellsville. 

1866  Pulteney.  D.  F.  Judson.    Olean. 

1866  Painted  Post.  M.  B.  Gelston. Belmont. 

1867  Ham'ondsportF.  Harrington.Wellsville, 


1867  Corning, 

1868  Canisteo. 

1868  Campbell. 

1869  Naples. 

1869  Painted  Post. 

1870  Prattsburg. 

1870  Bath. 

1871  Hornellsville. 

1871  Pulteney. 

1872  Corning. 

1872  Canisteo. 

1873  Prattsburg. 

1873  Addison. 

1874  Campbell. 

1874  Howard. 

1875  Oohocton. 


O.H.  Seymour.Franklinville. 

C.  Milne.  Andover. 

D.  H.  Palmer    Arkport. 
P. H.Burgh'rdt  Almond. 
W.  J.  Parrott.  Rrushford. 
J.  H.  Board.     Cuba. 

A.  Gulick.         Portville. 
D.  Chichester.  EUicottville. 
J.  M.  Piatt.        Angelica. 

C.  Simpson.      Wellsville. 
M.  B.  Gelston.  Olean. 

D.  Chichester.  FrankhnvUle. 
A.  G.  Chester.  Almond. 

C.  B.  Austin.    Cuba. 
T.  B.  Williams.Portville. 
S.  W.  Pratt.      Andover. 


1875  Ham'ondsport  J.  E.  Beecher.  Rushford. 
18T6  Corning.  T.  L.  Waldo.    PVanklinville. 

1876  Naples.  M.  L.  P.  Hill.    Allegany. 

1877  Bath.  W.  A.  Niles.      Belmont. 

1877  Jasper.  G.  Spalding.     Angelica. 

1878  Cohocton.  A.  R.  OIney.     Cuba. 

1878  Pulteney.  S.  W.  Pratt.      EUicottville. 

1879  Campbell.  J.  M.  Piatt.       Almond. 

1879  Arkport.  T.  L.  Waldo.    Centerville. 

1880  Painted  Post.  Z.N.Bradbury  Andover. 
1880  Canisteo.  L.  M.  Stevens.  Bradford. 


J.  E.  Baker. 
E.  Hale. 
J.C.Richards'n 
W.P.Teilswrth 
T.B.Beaumont 

E.  L.  Boing. 
I.  G.  Ogden. 
C.  B.  Gardner. 
P.  Camp. 

J  S.  Bingham. 
C.M.Liv'ngst'e 
C.  B.  Gardner. 
J.  E.  Tinker. 
J.  Reid. 
M.  Waldo. 
C.  B.  Gardner. 
I.  G.  Ogden. 

B.  Russell. 
N.  M.  Clute. 
.N .  Elmer. 
L.W.Billington 
O.  Smith. 

C.  B.  Gardner. 
J.  E.  Tinker. 

C.  Smith. 
L.W.Billingfn 

D.  K.  Steele. 
J.C.Taylor. 
H.  M.  Curtis. 
C.  Smith. 

J.  C.  Taylor. 

F.  W.  Fisher. 
R  R.  Kendall. 
A.  C.  Titus. 

S.  B.Stevens'n 
I).  K.  Steele. 
J.  W.  Simpson. 


38 


YEARS — PLACKS — MODERATORS, 


1881 
1881 
1882 
1882 
1883 
18Sd 
1884 
1884 
1885 
1885 
1886 
1886 
1887 
1887 
1888 
1888 
1889 
1889 
1890 
1890 
1891 
1891 
1892 
1892 
1893 
1893 
1894 
1894 
1895 
1895 
1896 
1S96 
1897 
1897 
1898 


STEUBEN  PRESBYTERY. 
Place.  Moderator. 

Hornellsville    S.  W.  Pratt. 
Naples.  B.  Bosworth. 

Ham'ondsportJ.  Waugh. 
Prattsburg.       A.  Cooper. 


(Concluded) 

GKNESEE  VALLEY 
PRESBYTERY. 


Place.  Moderator. 

Allegany  C.  T.  Goss 

Cuba.  A.  C.  Titus. 

Portville  E.  VV.  Fish. 

Ellicottville.  J.  C.  Taylor. 

Addison.  F.  CHmpbell.    Glean  E.  Bryan. 

Canaseraga.      W.  H.  Rice.      Almond.  R.  R.  Watkins. 

Campbell.         J.  S.  Baron.      Belmont.  D.  McLeod, 

Howard.  C.M.Livingst'nCuha.  R.  R.  Watkins. 

Cohocton.         L.  M.  Stevens.Franklinville.  J.  Burroughs. 

Corning.  M.  Swick.  Rushford.  J.  Burroughs. 

Bath.  E.  C.  Hull.        Bradford  C.  P.  Luce. 

Jasper.  M.  N.  Preston. Angelica.  C  P.  Luce, 

Hornellsvill».  B.  Bosworth. 
Almond.  .1.  Waugh. 


Cuba.  ■ 

Andover. 

Corning. 

Addison. 

Canisteo. 

Prattsburg. 

Campbell. 


W.  H.  Rice. 
G.  R.  Smith. 
C.  P.  Luce. 
J.  S.  Bacon. 
G.  M  Janes. 
G.  R.  Smith. 
Z.N.  Bradbury. 


Ham'ondsport  E.  C.  Hull 


Bath 

Howard. 

Addison. 

Hornellsville. 

Cuba. 

Canaseraga. 

Corning. 

Ark  port. 

Atlanta. 

Angelica. 

Cohocton. 

Belmont. 

Avftca. 


W.  G.  White. 
E.  R.  Evans. 

D.  Cameron. 
S.  W.  Pratt. 

J.  R.  Robinson. 

E.  M.  Deems. 
K.  P.  Salmon. 
J.  A.  Miller. 
D.  Mackay. 

G  W.  Warren. 
J.  S.  Bacon 
R.  Clements. 


ERRATUM. -A  sub-heading  'BATH  PRESBYTERY"  should  appear  under  the  general 

heading  "Stated  Meetings  of  the  Presbyteries"  on  page  36  following  the  year  1816.  Begin- 
ning with  1817  in  said  column  the  places  of  meetings  and  moderators  are  those  of  BATH 
PRESBYTERY. 


CONGREGATIONALISM.  39 


CONGREGATIONALISM. 

It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  some  of  our  Steuben  Presbytery 
churches,  either  at  organization  or  some  other  time  in  their  history, 
were  Congregational  churches,  and  that  Presbyterian  and  Congre- 
gational churches  were  in  close  fellowship  until  about  1870.  This 
was  the  result  of  the  "  Plan  of  Union"  entered  into  in  1801  by  the 
General  Assembly  for  the  Presbyterians,  and  the  General  Associa- 
tion of  Connecticut  for  the  Congregationalists.  It  was  adopted 
"  with  a  view  to  prevent  alienation  and  promote  union  and  harmony 
in  those  new  settlements  which  are  composed  of  inhabitants  from 
these  bodies".  Under  this  "Accommodating  Plan"  it  was  in  order 
for  a  Congregational  church  to  be  enrolled  in  a  presbytery,  to  have 
an  installed  pastor  who  belonged  to  a  presbytery,  and  to  have  its 
deacon  accorded  in  that  presbytery  the  rights  of  an  elder.  So,  too, 
it  was  in  order  for  a  Presbyterian  church  to  be  enrolled  in  an  asso- 
ciation, to  have  an  installed  pastor  who  belonged  to  an  association, 
and  to  have  its  elder  accorded  in  that  association  the  rights  of  a 
deacon.  Fellowship  was  promoted  by  the  fact  that  both  churches 
down  to  1837  contributed  to  foreign  missions  through  the  American 
Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions  and  to  home  missions 
through  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society.  This  remained 
true  of  the  Congregational  and  New  School  Presbyterian  Churches 
down  to  1870.  And  as  the  field  of  Steuben  Presbytery  was  almost 
entirely  New  School  the  relation  between  the  two  Churches  here 
was  especially  close.  As  far  as  this  field  is  concerned  the  arrange- 
ment proved  greatly  to  the  advantage  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Rev.  John  Niles,  Rev.  David  Higgins,  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin, 
and  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard,  the  pioneers  of  Presbyterianism  in  Steu- 
ben and  Allegany  counties,  all  began  their  ministry  in  the  Congre- 
gational Church.  Our  oldest  church,  the  Prattsburg  Church,  was 
organized  by  Congregationalists  in  1804  as  a  Congregational  church, 
enrolled  in  Geneva  and  Bath  Presbyteries  as  a  Congregational  church, 
remained  fully  Congregational  until  1839,  and  did  not  become  fully 
Presbyterian  until  1868.  Our  second  oldest  church,  the  Bath  Cliurch, 
was  organized  in  1806  as  a  Congregational  church,  had  its  first  pas- 
tor installed  by  the  Ontario  Association,  entered  Geneva  Presbytery 
in  1811  as  a  Congregational  church,  but  during  1812  by  advice  of 
presbytery  became  Presbyterian.  Our  third  oldest  church,  the  Co- 
hocton  Church,  was  organized  in  1809  as  a  Congregational  church, 
was  received  into  Bath  Presbytery  in  1820  on  the  "  Accommodating 
Plan",   and  did   not  become   Presbyterian   until    18.50.     The  New 


40  CONGREGATIONALISM — EXTINCT    CHURCHES. 

School  Bath  Church  became  Congregational  about  1863  and  so  re- 
mained until  at  the  Reunion  it  reunited  with  the  parent  Presbyte- 
rian church.  The  Angelica  Church  was  governed  Congregationally 
from  1845  to  1851,  and  again  from  1857  to  1859.  The  Wellsville 
Congregational  Church  was  organized  as  a  Presbyterian  church  in 
1841,  changed  to  a  Congregational  church  in  1856,  and  though  not 
enrolled  in  a  presbytery  continued  to  accept  Presbyterian  ministers. 
The  Andover  Church  was  a  Congregational  church  from  the  begin- 
ning in  1824  until  1886,  and  as  such  was  enrolled  in  Bath,  Angelica, 
and  Genesee  Valley  Presbyteries.  The  Friendship  Congregational 
Church  was  enrolled  for  many  years  in  Angelica  and  Genesee  Valley 
Presbyteries.  The  Cuba  Church  from  1835  to  1842  was  governed 
Congregationally— a  part  of  the  time  being  a  full  Congregational 
church.  The  Belmont  Church  adopted  Congregational  government 
from  1854  to  1856,  and  from  1853  to  1867  the  Rushford  Church  be- 
longed to  an  association.  The  Black  Creek  Congregational  Church 
is  the  successor  of  several  Presbyterian  organizations.  Not  a  few  of 
our  churches  have  received  aid  from  the  Congregational  Board. 
Congregational  ministers  who  supplied  Presbyterian  churches  gene- 
rally attended  presbytery  meetings  and  as  corresponding  members 
shared  in  the  deliberations. 

EXTINCT  CHURCHES. 
Many  churches  within  the  bounds  of  presbytery  have  been  dissolv- 
ed. The  Wayne  Church,  organized  in  1809,  and  for  years  one  of 
the  strongest  in  Bath  Presbytery,  in  1832  receiving  100  members 
and  reporting  a  membership  of  200,  gradually  declined  until  in  1871 
it  was  declared  extinct.  The  edifice  was  sold  to  the  St.  John  Epis- 
copal Church.  In  1831  a  church  was  organized  in  Kennedy ville 
(Kanoua)  of  members  living  there  and  in  Avoca  which  in  1834  had 
99  members.  Here  Bath  Presbytery  took  the  action  which  made  it 
a  New  School  presbytery.  This  church  was  dissolved  in  1875. 
There  was  once  a  small  church  in  the  northern  part  of  Cohocton 
which  was  organized  about  1836  and  in  1839  enrolled  in  Ontario 
Presbytery.  The  Wheeler  Churcli,  most  noted  of  all  our  extinct 
churches  though  never  exceeding  a  membership  of  40,  numbered 
among  its  members  and  elders  Marcus  Whitman,  M.  D.,  who  though 
a  home  missionary  saved  the  Oregon  country  to  the  United  States, 
and  General  Otto  F.  Marshal,  a  distinguished  citizen  of  Steuben 
County,  whose  refusal  to  be  "disbanded"  kept  the  church  on  the 
roll  of  Steuben  Presbytery  until  1894.  A  church  was  organized  in 
Cameron  about  1840.  One  of  its  most  active  members  was  Chaun- 
cey  P.   Hubbard,  later  an  elder  in  the  Woodhull  Church.     This 


Rev.  ROBERT  HUBBARD.  Angelica  and  Almond. 


From  a  lead-pencil  sketch— the  only  likeness  existing— furnished 
by  his  son,  Rev.  John  Niles  Hubbard,  Tracy.  Cal. 


EXTINCT  CHURCHES — MINISTERS.  4! 

Cameron  Church  became  Old  School  and  finally  extinct — the  Bap- 
tists purchasing  the  building.  From  1836  to  1867  there  was  a  small 
church  in  Caton  enrolled  as  Painted  Post  2d;  from  1834  to  1843 
another  at  Erwin  Center,  and  from  1845  to  1850  another  in  Thurs- 
ton. Troupsburg  had  a  small  church  from  1836  to  1846,  and 
Greenwood  from  1830  to  about  1850. 

When  in  1846  the  Painted  Post  1st  Church  chose  the  name  of  Cor- 
ning some  of  the  members  were  dismissed  to  form  a  new  church 
with  the  old  name.  In  1849  it  reunited  with  the  parent  church. 
Elk  Creek  had  a  small  church  from  1866  until  1893.  A  church  in 
Hume,  organized  about  1834,  and  in  1842  reporting  142  members, 
about  1873  was  reorganized  as  a  Methodist  church.  From  1836 
until  about  1850  there  was  a  church  at  Grrove  Center,  from  1833 
till  about  1847  one  in  Independence,  for  a  few  years  from  1851  a 
Congregational  church  in  Alfred,  and  from  1846  to  1854  a  Congre- 
gational church  at  Caneadea.  There  was  a  church  in  Burns  first 
reported  in  1837  which  in  1843  had  120  members.  This  church 
was  dissolved  in  1873,  the  members  uniting  with  the  Arkport  or 
Canaseraga  Churches.  From  1826  to  about  1850  there  was  a  church 
in  Allen  which  had  100  members  in  1836  and  an  installed  pastor  in 
1840.  The  Black  Creek  Church  was  organized  in  1822.  In  1828 
a  division  of  this  church  resulted  in  the  organization  of  the  Haight 
Church  which  in  1834  reported  79  members.  In  1837  the  Black 
Creek  and  Haight  Churches  united  under  the  name  of  the  New 
Hudson  Church  and  reported  in  1840  90  members.  Some  mem- 
bers seceding  from  this  New  Hudson  Church  formed  the  only  Old 
School  church  in  Allegany  County.  Both  these  churches  soon  dis- 
appear from  the  records,  the  Black  Creek  Congregational  Church 
organized  in  1851  probably  absorbing  tiieir  members.  From  1830 
to  about  1871  there  was  a  church  in  Belfast.  The  Rushford  Church, 
after  living  nearly  60  years,  was  declared  extinct  in  1897.  It  re- 
ported in  1846  a  membership  of  116.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted 
that  the  Presbyterian  Church,  though  having  a  much  larger  mem- 
bership in  Steuben  and  Allegany  counties  than  ever  before,  has  lost 
its  hold  on  so  many  rural  communities. 

MINISTERS. 
There  are  a  few  ministers  whose  services  entitle  them  to  special 
mention.  Though  Rev.  John  Niles,  the  ''pathfinder"  of  our 
Church  on  this  field,  was  only  35  years  old  when  he  died  at  Bath, 
and  had  served  only  six  years  in  the  ministry,  five  of  the  six  oldest 
churches  now  in  presbytery,  organized  by  him,  remain  his  monu- 
ment— Prattsburg  (practically,  though  not  nominally,  organized  by 


42  MINISTERS. 

Mr.  Niles),  Bath,  Corning,  Almond,  and  Angelica.  Of  all  who 
have  ministered  to  our  churches  the  three  who  deserve  first  and 
highest  mention  are  "Fathers"  Higgins,  Hotchkin,  and  Hubbard. 
The  three  names  stand  together  in  the  record  of  the  first  meeting 
of  Hath  Presbytery,  and  for  25  years  they  worked  together  organiz- 
ing and  nurturing  churches  On  horseback  they  penetrated  to 
every  part  of  Steuben  and  Allegany  and  into  all  the  adjacent  coun- 
ties. Rev.  David  Higgins  was  a  descendant  of  John  Rogers,  editor 
of  the  "  Matthew's  Bible"  and  a  Smithfield  martyr.  Graduating 
from  Yale  College  in  1785,  he  was  pastor  of  the  Aurelius  Congrega- 
tional Church — the  parent  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Auburn — before  coming  to  Bath  in  1812.  He  was  pastor  of  the 
Bath  Church  19  years,  moderator  of  presbytery  24  times,  the  con- 
vener of  Geneva  Synod,  and  influential  throughout  the  churches  of 
Western  New  York.  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin  was  a  graduate  of 
Williams  College,  and  before  coming  in  1809  to  Prattsburg  was  pastor 
of  the  West  Bloomfield  Congregational  ('hurch.  He  was  pastor  of 
the  Prattsburg  Church  21  years,  stated  clerk  of  Bath  Presbytery  14 
years,  vice-president  and  acting  moderator  of  the  Auburn  Confer- 
ence of  1837  which  shaped  the  organization  of  the  New  School 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  active  in  the  establishment  of  Auburn 
Theological  Seminary.  The  closing  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in 
Prattsburg  writing  his  valuable  "  History  of  Western  New  York". 
Rev.  Robert  Hubbard  also  was  a  graduate  of  Williams  College.  He 
was  for  many  years  pastor  of  the  Angelica  and  Almond  Churches, 
but  his  parish  was  the  whole  of  Allegany  and  the  west  edge  of 
Steuben.  He  was  unwearied  in  church  organization  and  famous 
for  his  unselfishness.* 

Rev.  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D.,  shares  with  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin 
in  the  distinction  of  the  longest  pastorate  on  the  field  of  Steuben 
Presbytery — 21  years  in  the  Almond  Church.  His  service  in  all  to 
the  Almond  Church  covers  23  years — a  longer  time  than  any  other 
minister  within  the  territory  of  presbytery  gave  to  one  church.     Dr. 

**•  His  headquarters  were  at  Angelica  from  whence  he  traveled  into  all  the  settlements 
for  ao  miles  around.  *  *  *  He  used  frequently  to  extend  his  visits  from  Almond  to  Hornells- 
\  ille  and  on  to  (Janisteo,  i)reaching  at  (Janisteo  in  tlie  evening.  Starting  on  his  return  Mon- 
day he  would  call  at  nearly  every  house  on  his  way  home,  when  the  family  where  he  called 
would  be  gathered  together  and  after  a  kind  word  to  every  one,  read  a  portion  of  scripture, 
comment  a  little  and  pray  with  the  family,  leave  a  few  tracts  and  agam  wend  his  way  on- 
ward, spending  most  of  the  week  in  getting  home.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Hubbard 
sowed  the  good  seed  that  .subsequently  bore  fruit  in  the  churches  of  Angelica,  Almond,  Hor- 
iiellsville  and  Canisteo.  *  *  *  His  unselfish  benevolence  hardlj'  knew  any  bounds,  always 
giving  from  his  scanty  store  to  any  more  needy  than  he  thought  himself.  It  is  told  of  him 
that  at  one  time,  having  been  presented  with  a  new  garment,  before  getting  home  he  found 
a  destitute  man  to  whom  he  gave  the  new  garment.  At  another  time  a  friend  presented 
liim  with  a  fine  cow  for  his  own  use,  and  in  driving  her  home  he  met  a  poor  man  who  was 
exceedingly  destitute.  Mr.  Hubbard  told  him  the  circumstances  of  the  gift  but  remarked, 
'  You  are  iin>re  needy  than  I;  take  the  cow  and  drive  her  home;  1  can  do  without  her'.  After 
much  urging  the  man  took  the  cow". — Mowry  Thacher  in  •'  Semi-Centennial  Anniversary  of 
the  lloniellsvillf  Presbyterian  Clmrch". 


Rev.  WILLIAM  A.   NILES,   D.  D.,  Corning  and  Hornellsville. 


Rev.  JAMES  M.   PLATT,   D.  D.,  Bath. 


MIXISTEKS.  43 

Wakeman  ministered  also  to  the  Painted  Post  Church  3  years,  and 
to  the  Campbell  Church  4  years.  Rev.  William  A.  Niles,  D.  D. 
ministered  to  our  churches  continuously  30  years — 13  years  at  Corn- 
ing and  17  years  at  Hornellsville.  He  was  stated  clerk  of  Steuben 
Presbytery  from  1865  to  1870  and  again  from  1884  to  1889.  The  first 
Sunday  School  Institute  in  the  United  States  was  held  in  his  church. 
He  was  a  leader  in  every  good  cause  in  presbytery  not  only  but 
throughout  Western  New  York.  Another  of  the  master  builders  in 
Steuben  Presbytery  was  Rev.  James  M.  Piatt,  D.  D.  He  was  pastor 
of  the  Bath  Church  15  years,  and  14  years  stated  clerk  of  presbytery. 
He  was  one  of  the  leaders  of  Geneva  Synod.  Twenty-five  years  be- 
fore Mr.  Piatt  began  his  ministry  in  the  Bath  Church,  his  father. 
Rev.  Isaac  W.  Piatt,  closed  a  pastorate  of  13  years  in  the  same 
church.  Rev.  Ziba  N.  Bradbury  gave  his  ministerial  life  of  30 
years  to  the  churches  of  Steuben  Presbytery.  He  shares  with  Dr. 
Wakeman  and  Dr.  Niles  the  distinction  of  having  ministered  30 
years  within  the  bounds  of  presbytery.  He  was  ordained  at  Howard 
at  the  first  meeting  of  presbytery  under  the  name  of  Steuben,  and 
died  at  Howard  in  1893.  He  was  for  awhile  minister  of  the 
Almond  Church,  at  two  diii'erent  periods  served  the  Pulteney 
Church,  and  at  three  different  times  labored  in  the  Howard  Church. 
Rev.  Moses  Hunter  was  a  pastor  on  this  field  from  1827  to  1839. 
He  was  for  11  years  stated  clerk  of  Angelica  Presbytery.  For  10 
years  he  was  pastor  of  the  Almond  Church  when  the  parish  included 
wliat  is  now  Hornellsville,  part  of  the  time  preaching  in  the  morn- 
ing at  Almond,  in  the  afternoon  at  Hornellsville,  and  in  the  even- 
ing at  Arkport.  Rev.  Robert  E.  Willson  gave  17  years  to  our 
churclies — 14  years  at  Hammondsport  and  3  at  Corning.  Rev.  B. 
Foster  Pratt  also  spent  17  years  on  this  field.  He  was  pastor  of  the 
Prattsburg  Church  from  1838  to  1841,  of  the  Painted  Post  Church 
from  1843  to  1849,  and  supplied  the  Campbell  Church  from  1850 
to  1800.  Rev.  James  H.  Board,  after  4  years  with  the  Howard 
Church,  organized  the  Canaseraga  Church  and  was  its  pastor  12 
years.  Rev.  Benjamin  C.  Smith  was  pastor  of  the  Prattsburg 
Church  15  years,  and  Rev.  John  Waugh  of  the  Cohocton  Church 
for  the  same  length  of  time.  Rev.  Lewis  F.  Laine  ministered  to 
the  Canisteo  Church  13  years,  giving  the  remaining  18  years  of  his  life 
to  Canisteo  Academy.  Rev.  Byron  Bosworth  was  minister  of  the 
Hammondsport  Church  12  years,  Rev.  Marcus  N.  Preston  of  the 
Bath  Church  12  years,  and  Rev.  Erwin  C.  Hull  of  the  Arkport 
Church  12  years.  Those  who  have  had  a  ministry  of  10  years  with 
one  church  have  been  Rev.  Samuel  White  with  the  Pulteney  Church, 
Kev.  Milton   Waldo,    D.   D.,    with   the    Hornellsville   Church,  Rev. 


44  MINISTERS— RULING   ELDERS. 

Dwight  K.  Steele  with  the  Almond  Church,  Rev.  George  N.  Todd 
with  the  Arkport  Church,  and  Rev.  John  S.  Bacon  with  the  Corn- 
ing Church.  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Pratt  served  the  Prattsburg  Church 
from  1872  to  1876,  the  Campbell  Church  from  1877  to  1883,  and 
has  rendered  invaluable  service  in  establishing  the  Atlanta  and 
Avoca  Churches. 

Those  who  have  been  selected  from  this  field  to  attend  General 
Assembly  more  than  one  time  are  the  following:  5  times.  Rev.  Joel 
Wakeman,  D.  D.;  4  times,  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin,  and  Rev. 
William  A,  Xiles,  D.  D.;  3  times.  Rev.  Robert  E.  Willson,  and 
Rev.  Moses  Hunter;  and  2  times.  Rev.  David  Higgins,  Rev.  Robert 
Hubbard,  Rev.  Samuel  W.  May,  Rev.  Asa  S.  Allen,  Rev.  B.  Foster 
Pratt,  Rev.  Stephen  Vorhis,  Rev.  Ziba  N.  Bradbury,  Rev.  Corliss 
B.  Gardner,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Pratt. 

RULING  ELDERS. 
The  list  of  men  who  have  served  the  churches  of  Steuben  and 
Allegany  in  the  eldership  is  a  long  one,  and  a  great  proportion  of 
the  names  are  those  of  men  prominent  as  well  in  the  affairs  of  their 
respective  communities.  There  are  a  few  whose  prominence  or 
length  of  service  entitle  them  to  special  notice.  One  of  the  most 
influential  laymen  of  the  day  of  beginnings  was  William  Steele,  al- 
ready an  elder  when  in  1820  he  moved  from  New  Jersey  to  Painted 
Post.  Through  Mr.  Steele's  effort  the  Painted  Post  (Corning) 
Church  was  reestablished.  For  many  years  he  was  a  worker  in  Bath 
and  Chemung  Presbyteries.  No  name  is  more  prominent  in  the 
pioneer  history  of  Allegany  County  than  that  of  Major  Moses  Van- 
Campen — an  Indian  fighter  and  Revolutionary  hero,  whose  publish- 
ed biography  is  of  interest  at  times  thrilling.  It  is  not  so  well 
known,  however,  that  he  was  the  first  member  and  elder  of  the 
Angelica  Church  and  represented  his  church  in  Geneva  and  Angel- 
ica Presbyteries.  Another  Allegany  pioneer  and  man  of  affairs 
was  Vial  Thomas.  From  1828  to  his  death  in  1885  at  the  age  of 
101  he  was  an  elder  in  the  Angelica  Church*.  Robert  Porter  of 
Prattsburg  who  represented  his  church  in  presbytery  and  synod 
many  times  probably  did  more  for  the  Prattsburg  Church  than  any 
other  excepting  Captain  Jared  Pratt.  He  was  a  Yale  graduate  of 
1795,  and  from  1803  to  1806  principal  of  Hamilton  Academy  (after- 
ward Hamilton  College).  He  was  prominent  in  synod  and  in  the 
affairs  of  Auburn  Seminary  as  well  as  in  his  own  church  and  pres- 
bytery.     Henry   H.    Spalding    was    representing    the    Prattsburg 

*Ttie  portrait  of  Deacon  Thomas  which  api>eara  in  this  worlc  was  talcen  when  he  was  100 
years  old. 


Rev.  JOEL  WAKEMAN,  D.  D..  Almond.  Painted  Post,  and  Campbell. 


Rev.  ZIBA  N.  BRADBURY,  Howard,  Pulteney.  and  Almond. 


RULING  ELDERS.  45 

Church  in  presbytery  when  he  was  ordained  to  the  ministry,  and 
Dr.  Marcus  Whitman  was  an  elder  in  the  Wheeler  Church  when  he 
started  upon  his  Oregon  mission.  Judge  Stephen  Prentiss,  the 
father  of  Narcissa  Prentiss,  was  for  many  years  influential  in  the 
Prattsburg  Church,  for  7  years  after  leaving  Prattsburg  an  elder  in 
the  Angelica  Church,  and  for  a  term  of  years  after  leaving  Angelica 
an  elder  in  the  Cuba  Church. 

Few  names  occur  more  frequently  in  the  minutes  of  presbytery 
than  that  of  Kendal  Wilder,  an  elder  in  the  Cuba  Church.  He 
represented  his  church  in  presbytery  26  times,  the  first  time  in  1829 
at  the  first  stated  meeting  of  Angelica  Presbytery,  and  the  last  time 
in  186?  at  a  meeting  of  Genesee  Valley  Presbytery.  An  elder  in  the 
Greenwood  Church  was  Jacob  Manning,  ''one  of  only  three  men 
that  offered  prayer  between  Rexville  and  Canisteo  on  the  Bennett's 
Creek  road".  It  was  said  of  him,  ''he  was  the  only  righteous  man 
in  Greenwood  and  all  that  saved  the  valley  from  destruction".  Rev. 
J.  Merrill  Manning,  D.  D.,  of  the  Boston  Old  South  Church,  was 
his  son.  A  foundation  stone  of  the  Hammondsport  Church  was 
Lemuel  D.  Hastings,  an  elder  for  56  years,  and  another  in  the  same 
church  was  Solomon  Clark,  52  years  in  the  eldership.  Mr.  Hastings 
represented  his  church  first  in  1838  in  Bath  Presbytery  and  last  in 
1882  in  Steuben  Presbytery.  For  53  years  Joshua  Sargent  was  an 
elder  in  the  Jasper  Church,  and  Jonathan  R.  Prentice  for  49  years 
in  the  same  church.  Rev.  Asa  S.  Allen,  for  9  years  pastor  of  the 
Cuba  Church,  appeared  first  in  presbytery  as  a  deacon  from  the  An- 
dover  Church,  and  was  ordained  while  serv^ing  as  an  elder  in  the 
Angelica  Church.  The  name  of  General  Otto  F.  Marshal*,  an  elder 
in  the  Wheeler  Church,  is  among  the  prominent  names  of  Bath  and 
Steuben  Presbyteries,  as  it  is  among  the  distinguished  citizens  of  his 
county.  George  Temple,  an  elder  of  the  Campbell  Church,  has  the 
distinction  of  attending  presbytery  more  times  than  any  other  elder 
on  this  field — 45  times  he  represented  one  church.  Few  laymen 
have  influenced  church,  presbytery,  and  synod  more  than  elder  Na- 
thaniel C.  Taylor  of  Canisteo.  For  10  years  no  other  elder  repre- 
sented the  Canisteo  Church  in  presbytery. 

For  61  years  Joel  D.  Gillet  has  been  an  elder  in  the  Addison 
Church — for  60  years  acting  as  clerk  of  session.  He  has  attended 
33  presbytery  meetings — the  first  at  the  first  stated  meeting  of  Che- 
mung Presbytery  in  1836,  the  last  during  1893  in  Steuben  Presbytery. 
Uriah  D.  Hood,  Corning,  has  been  in  the  eldership  44  years;  Charles 
Amsden,  Cuba,  the  same  length  of  time;  and  Prof .  Zenas  L.  Park- 
er, Bath,  40  years.     John  Hurlbut,  an  elder  in  the  Arkport  Church. 

*  Died  Feb..  18i»l.  ase.l  99. 


46  RULING    ELDERS— MTSfilOXARIES. 

has  year  by  year  for  40  years  been  elected  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  School.  The  following  elders  have  been  chosen  by  presby- 
tery more  than  once  as  commissioners  to  General  Assembly:  Na- 
thaniel C.  Taylor,  Canisteo,  James  H.  Hotchkin,  Prattsburg,  and 
Alfred  Lockhart,  Angelica,  4  times;  Paul  C.  Howe,  Prattsburg. 
Elias  Hopkins,  Bath,  Samuel  S.  Haight,  Bath  and  Angelica,  Wil- 
liam Steele,  Corning,  and  Lemuel  D.  Hastings,  Hammondsport,  3 
times;  and  Robert  Porter,  Prattsburg,  Elam  Bridges,  Prattsburg, 
Stephen  Prentiss,  Prattsburg  and  Angelica,  Abram  Waugh,  (.ohoc- 
ton,  Francis  A.  Williams,  Corning,  James  Hurlbut,  Almond,  Rob- 
ert H.  Coleman,  Almond,  Daniel  S.  Benton,  Pulteney,  and  Charles 
A.  Knox,  Campbell,  2  times. 

MISSIONARIES. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  Steuben  and  Allegany  honors  its 
sons  and  daughters  who  witness  for  Christ  in  "  the  regions  beyond". 
The  first  to  give  himself  to  mission  work  was  George  Hornell,  living 
in  Hornellsville,  the  first  member  of  the  Almond  Church.  He  was 
ordained  by  Bath  Presbytery  Feb.  24,  1828,  and,  after  a  year's  suc- 
cessful work  as  a  Sunday  School  missionary  in  Steuben  County, 
accepted  an  appointment  of  the  American  Board  as  a  missionary  to 
the  Indians,  with  his  headquarters  at  Mackinaw,  Mich.  His  health 
not  proving  equal  he  was  obliged  to  return  after  two  year's  work. 
In  the  office  of  the  "Steuben  Farmer's  Advocate"  at  Bath  in  1831 
was  an  apprentice — Phinehas  Hunt.  The  paper  was  conducted  at 
that  time  by  Smead  &  Son.  The  son's  wife  was  an  earnest  Christ- 
ian, and  under  her  influence  the  apprentice  was  converted,  and 
offered  himself  as  a  printer  to  the  American  Board.  He  served  the 
Board  as  a  missionary  printer  30  years  in  Madras,  India,  and  was 
then  sent  to  Pekin,  China.  Mrs.  Smead  became  subsequently  a 
member  of  the  Hornellsville  1st  Church.  Rev.  Charles  T.  White, 
D.  D.,  who  was  for  12  years  a  missionary  for  the  American  Board 
in  the  Madura  district  of  South  India,  was  a  son  of  Rev.  Samuel 
White,  a  member  of  the  Bath  and  Steuben  Presbyteries  from  1825 
to  his  death  in  1864,  and  twice  pastor  of  che  Pulteney  Church.  Dr. 
White  was  ordained  by  Bath  Presbytery  at  Howard  Oct.  1,  1856. 
Hammondsport  cherishes  tenderly  the  memory  of  Rev.  Frederick 
H.  Brewster.  A  teacher  there  from  1846  to  1849,  a  member  of  the 
church  and  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School,  he  consecrated 
himself  to  foreign  mission  work.  Under  appointment  of  the  Amer- 
ican Board,  he  reached  his  field,  Canton,  China,  Jan.  1st,  1852. 
Attacked  by  smallpox  on  the  26th,  he  died  on  the  29th — less  than 
a  month  after  his  arrival.  Yet  his  consecrated  life  was  richly 
fruitful. 

Names  that  become  more  widelv  and  lionorablv  known  everv  vear 


Rev.  SAMUEL  PARKER. 


Plate  loaned  by  Rev.  D-  J.  McMillan,  D.  D.,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the 
Presbyterian  Home  Mission  Board,  New  York. 


MISSIONARIES.  47 

are  those  of  Sariiuel  Parker,  Marcus  Wliitman.  Narcissa  Prentiss, 
and  Henry  H.  Spalding.  All  these  were  identified  with  the  work 
among  the  Oregon  Indians — in  the  thirties  and  forties  a  foreign 
mission  field  of  the  Ainerican  Board.  Rev.  Samuel  Parker*  was 
born  in  Ashfield,  Mass.,  Apr.  23,  1779,  and  was  identified  with  this 
field  closely  as  a  pioneer  missionary  of  the  Massachusetts  Mission- 
ary Society.  After  graduating  from  Williams  College  in  1806  and 
before  going  to  Andover  Seminary,  and  again  for  a  short  time  after 
leaving  the  Seminary,  he  visited  some  of  the  early  settlements.  He 
was  several  times  in  Hornellsvillef,  Almond,  Angelica,  and 
Howard,  between  1808  and  1811,  holding  the  first  preaching 
service  in  Howard  in  1810.  Very  much  later  it  was  his  mission- 
ary addresses  in  our  churches  that  led  to  the  Whitmans  and 
Spaldings  giving  themselves  to  Oregon.  When  in  1833  a  pas- 
tor in  a  Massachusetts  town,  he  read  the  narrative,  "  Wise  Men 
from  the  West",  telling  of  four  Flathead  and  other  Indians 
from  Oregon  coming  to  St.  Louis  to  inquire  about  the  white  man's 
God  and  Bible.  The  narrative  had  a  profound  etfect  on  Mr.  Park- 
er. He  wrote  to  the  American  Board  April  10,  1833,  offering  to  go 
to  Oregon  to  establish  a  mission  among  the  Indians.  Not  receiving 
a  reply,  he  wrote  again  May  l7th,  and  again  June  18th.  In  July, 
having  in  the  meantime  removed  from  Middlefield,  Mass.  to  Ithaca, 
N.  Y.,  he  received  an  indefinite  reply.  On  the  first  Monday  in 
January,  1834,  he  spoke  in  the  session  house  of  the  Ithaca  Presby- 
terian Church,  boldly  proposing  that  that  church  send  him  on  the 
Oregon  mission,  and  calling  for  volunteers  to  accompany  him.  The 
church  agreed  and  three  young  men  at  once  offered.  At  5  o'clock 
in  the  morning  of  May  5,  1834,  there  was  a  solemn  farewell  prayer- 
meeting  in  the  session-house  or  chapel  of  the  church,  when  Rev. 
Samuel  Parker,  Mr.  Samuel  All  is,  a  sadler,  one  of  the  three  who 
had  volunteered,  and  Mr.  John  Dunbar,  a  senior  in  Auburn  Semi- 
nary, started  on  the  trip  to  Oregon.  Reaching  St.  Louis  too  late 
to  join  the  annual  caravan  of  the  American  Fur  Company,  it  was 
decided  that  Messrs.  Allis  and  Dunbar  should  labor  among  the 
Pawnee  Indians,  while  Mr.  Parker  should  return  to  spend  the  in- 
tervening year  in  missionary  meetings  and  collecting  money.  It 
was  while  he  was  holding  these  missionary  meetings  that  he  induced 

*See  article  'Rev.  Samuel  Parker,  Missionary  to  Oregon",  by  Rev.  H.  W.  Parker,  D.  D. 
in  "The  Church  at  Home  and  Abroad",  March,  1895. 

tHe  made  his  home  in  the  old  red  house  (Judge  George  Honiells].  lie  preaclied  in  the 
dining  i-oom  with  his  audience  seated  in  that  room.  Mrs.  Moore,  Judge  HornelPs  daughter 
says;  "  Father  became  much  attached  to  him  and  when  he  was  about  to  leave  requested' 
him  to  send  them  a  minister  to  abide  with  them,  and  it  was  through  Mr.  Parker's  influence 
that  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard  came  here  to  labor,  and  who  proved  to  be  such  a  blessing  to  all 
that  region  ol  country".  It  is  understood  that  Judge  Hornell  was  hopefully  converted  in 
connection  with  the  labors  of  Mr.  Parker.— Rev.  William  A.  Xiles,  I).  I).,  in  "Seini-i-'enten- 
nial  Anniversary  of  the  Hornellsville  Ohuroli". 


48  MISSIONARIES. 

Marcus  Whitman  and  Narcissa  Prentiss  to  unite  with  him  in  the 
Oregon  mission.  March  4,  1S35,  Mr.  Parker  again  left  Ithaca  and 
was  joined  at  St.  Louis  by  Dr.  Whitman.  They  traveled  westward 
with  the  fur-traders'  caravan  until  they  reached  southwestern  Wyo- 
ming and  conferred  with  the  Flathead  and  Nez  Perce  Indians  who 
were  waiting  for  the  missionaries.  It  was  decided  that  Mr.  Parker 
should  go  on,  while  Dr.  Wiiitman  should  return  for  more  mission- 
aries, and  come  to  Oregon  in  1836. 

Marcus  Whitman,  M.  D.,*  was  born  in  Kushville,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  4, 
1802.  Looking  to  the  ministry,  he  was  persuaded  by  his  brothers 
to  become  a  physician.  He  graduated  at  the  Fairfield  (N.  Y.)  Med- 
ical Institute  in  1824,  and  practiced  four  years  in  Canada.  He  then 
settled  in  Wheeler,  N.  Y.,  where  he  became  an  elder  in  the  then 
existing  Presbyterian  Church.  It  was  while  practicing  there  that 
he  met  Mr.  Parker  and  was  persuaded  to  go  to  Oregon.  «  Miss  Nar- 
cissa Prentiss,  when  induced  by  Mr.  Parker  to  go  to  the  western 
mission,  was  a  member  of  the  Angelica  Church.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  Judge  Stephen  Prentiss,  and  the  family  until  a  short  time  before 
this  lived  in  Prattsburg  and  were  members  of  the  Prattsbnrg  Church. 
Dr.  Whitman  and  Miss  Prentiss,  both  having  promised  to  give 
themselves  to  the  Oregon  mission,  introduced  by  Mr.  Parker,  gave 
themselves  to  one  another,  and  after  a  Sabbath  evening  service  early 
in  1836  in  the  Angelica  Church  were  married  by  the  pastor  Rev. 
Leverett  Hullf .  Rev.  Henry  H.  Spalding  was  born  in  Bath,  N.  Y., 
Nov.  26,  1803,  and  at  22  united  with  the  Prattsburg  Church,  where 
in  the  Franklin  Academy  he  was  trained  for  college.  He  graduated 
from  Western  Reserve  College  in  1832,  and  very  soon  married  Miss 
Eliza  Hart];,  also  a  student  in  the  college,  and  a  native  of  Holland 

•See article  "  Dr.  Whitman,  Missionary  to  Oregon",  by  Rev.  H.  W.Parker,  D.  D.,  in  '"The 
Church  at  Home  and  Abroad",  March,  1896.  For  a  more  detailed  account  see  "The  Story 
of  Marcus  Whitman",  by  Rev.  J.  G.  CraiKhead,  D.  D.,  published  by  the  Presbyterian  Board. 

t After    the  wedding  occurred  an  aflfectins  scene  which  is  thus  described  in  the  "  Golden 
Rule",  Jan.  12,  1893:    Some  fifty  years  ago  there  took  place  in  a  rural  town  in  New  York,  a 
simple  service  that  touched  the  hearts  of  all  who  witnessed  it.    It  had  reference  to  the  de- 
parture of  a  missionary  for  Oregon.    The  missionary  was  a  young  lady,  greatly  beloved  in 
the  town  of  her  residence.    She  was  a  member  of  the  choir.    A  hymn,  then  familiar,  was 
given  out  by  the  minister,  beginning.  "  Yes,  my  native  land.  I  love  thee".    As  it  was  being 
sung  many  of  the  singers  were  deeply  affected,  and  one  by  one  ceased  to  sustain  the  simple 
melody     The  young  missionary  found  herself  at  last  singing  quite  alone — 
"Scenes  of  sacred  peace  and  pleasure. 
Holy  days  and  Sabbath  bell. 
Richest,  brightest,  sweetest  pleasure. 
Can  I  say  a  last  farewell"? 
Years  afterward  this  incident  was  diistinctly  recalled  when  it  was  announced  that  this  wo- 
man's influence  as  the  wife  of  the  pioneer  missionary  had  much  contributed  in  bringing  to 
the  United  States  a  territory  larger  in  extent  than  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  and  nearly 
four  times  as  large  as  New  England.    This  vast  region  Is  now  known  as  Oregon,  Washing- 
ton, and  Idaho. 

JFor  incidents  in  the  lives  of  Mrs.  Whitman  and  Mrs.  Spalding  see  article  "  Three  Hero- 
ines of  the  Nez  Perces  Mission", by  Rev.  F.  F.  Ellinwood,  D.  P.. in  the  "Missionary  Review," 
March,  1894.  An  error  in  this  article  is  that  of  placing  the  Whitman-Prentiss  marriage  at 
P'enn  Yan.  The  records  of  the  Angelica  Church  show  that  ''Stephen  Prentiss  and  Clarissa, 
his  wife,  Narcissa,  Clarissa,  Harriet  R.,  and  Edward  W.,  their  children",  were  received  into 
the  church  Sept.  27,  18.35.  They  remained  members  as  many  entries  show  until  May  9,  1842, 
when  they  were  dismissed  to  the  (Juba  Church.  The  following  is  a  record  of  a  meeting  Feb". 
18,1836:  •' The  church  met  agreeable  to  previous  notice  for  the  ordination  of  elders  elect, 
when  ihe  following  persons  were  set  apart  to  this  oflQce  in  due  form  and  order,  to-wit:  Ste- 
phen Prentiss,  Jacob  Schoonover,  and  Charles  Patrick.  And  session  ordered  a  letter  to  our 
sister,  Narcissa  Prentiss,  who  is  destined  to  the  missions  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Ad- 
journed. Closed  with  prayer.  L.  Hull,  Moderator".  This  puts  beyond  possibility  of  doubt 
the  fact  that  the  Prentiss  family  at  the  time  of  the  marriage  lived  in  Angelica  and  that  the 
wedding  look  place  in  Angelica.  Mr.  George  H.  Hull,  of  New  York  City,  son  of  Rev.  and 
Mrs.  Leverett  Hull,  has  discovered  among  his  mother's  papers  letters  from  Mrs.  Whitman 
written  on  the  journey  westward  and  after  reaching  the  mission  field.  These  letters  are 
both  interesting  and  important. 


MARCUS  WHITMAN.   M.  D. 


There  is  no  authentic  likeness  of  Dr.  Whitman  in  existence.    This  is  the  final  result  of  an 

attempt  to  reproduce  his  appearance  from  the  recollections  and  criticisms  of  many 

who  knew  him.    The  plate  was  loaned  by  Rev.  D.  J.  McMillan,  D.  D., 

Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Presbyterian  Home 

Mission  Board,  New  York. 


MISSIONARIES.  49 

Patent,  N.  Y.  Mr.  Spalding*  studied  for  the  ministry  at  Lane 
Seminary  under  Dr.  Lyman  Beecherand  Mrs.  Spalding  studied  with 
him.  Ordained  by  Bath  Presbytery  in  1835,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Spalding 
were  on  the  way  to  enter  upon  an  appointment  of  the  American 
Board  as  missionaries  to  the  Osage  Indians  in  Western  New  York 
when  they  were  overtaken  by  Dr.  Marcus  Whitman.  Dr.  Whitman 
proposed  that  they  should  go  with  him  to  Oregon.  Question  and 
answer  passed  between  the  two  conveyances  in  rapid  succession  until 
they  reached  Howard,  N.  Y.,  where  in  a  private  room  in  a  tavern 
Mr.  and  Mrs  Spalding  yielded  to  Dr.  Whitman's  proposition.  The 
Whitmans  and  Spaldings  proceeded  to  their  work  together,  Mrs. 
Whitman  and  Mrs.  Spalding  being  the  first  white  women  to  cross 
the  Rockies.  Dr.  Whitman  succeeded  in  taking  a  wagon  over  the 
mountains  to  Oregon.  In  1842  there  came  to  Dr.  Whitman,  busy- 
ing himself  in  his  mission  work  among  the  Indians,  news  that  the 
Oregon  territory,  then  undefined  country  between  the  United  States, 
the  Pacific,  and  Great  Britain,  was  about  to  be  "  traded  off  to  Eng- 
land for  a  cod-fishery  in  Newfoundland".  Oct.  3.  1842,  in  the  face 
of  a  Rocky  mountain  winter,  and  at  the  risk  of  being  dismissed  by 
the  American  Board  for  his  unauthorized  deed,  he  started  on  horse- 
back for  Washington  to  remonstrate  with  President  Tyler  and  Sec- 
retary of  State  Daniel  Webster.  After  terrible  sufferings  he  reached 
St.  Louis,  and  pressed  on  to  Washington,  reaching  there  March  3, 
1843.  It  is  now  clearly  apparent  that  his  representations  at  Wash- 
ington, and  the  large  emigration  to  Oregon  in  1843  of  which  he 
was  the  moving  spiritf — 875  persons,  111  wagons,  and  about  3,000 
horses  and  cattle — saved  the  Oregon  country  to  the  United  States. 
November  29,  1847,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Whitman  with  thirteen  others 
were  brutally  murdered  by  evil  disposed  Indians.  The  Spaldings 
living  110  miles  away  escaped  but  were  obliged  to  give  up  their 
work.  Later  in  life  Mr.  Spalding  returned  and  before  his  death, 
Aug.  3,  1874,  received  into  the  church  very  nearly  1000  Indians. 

*See  article  "Rev.  and  Mrs.  H.  H.  Spalding:  Their  Life  and  Work",  by  Rev.  G.  L.  Deffen- 
baugh,  in  '"The  Church  at  Home  and  Abroad",  August,  1897. 

t "  It  was  October,  forty-two, 

When  the  clattering" hoof-beats  died  away 

On  the  Walla  Walla,  that  fateful  day. 

It  was  September,  forty  three — 

Little  less  than  a  year,  you  see — 

When  the  woman  who  waited,  thought  she  heard 

The  clatter  of  hoof-beats  that  she  knew 

On  the  Walla  Walla  again.    "'What  word 

From  Whitman?''    Whitman  himself !    And  see! 

What  do  her  glad  eyes  look  upon? 

The  first  of  two  hundred  wagons  roll 

Into  the  valley  before  her.    He, 

Who,  a  year  ago,  had  left  her  side. 

Had  brought  them  over  the  Great  Divide — 

Men,  women,  and  children,  a  thousand  souls— 

The  .■Vrmy  to  occupy  Oregon." 

—  From  ■•Whitniairs  Ride."  by  Wioe  Wellington  Rolhns, 


50  MISSi.OXAKIE*,. 

Rev.  Joseph  L.  Whiting,  for  the  last  28  years  a  missionary  of  the 
Presbyterian  Board  at  Pekin,  China,  went  out  from  the  Jasper 
Church.  Rev.  Albert  W.  Hubbard,  since  1873  a  missionary  of  the 
American  Board  at  Sivas,  Turkey,  was  born  in  Cameron.  He  is  a 
sou  of  Chauncey  P.  Hubbard,  once  prominent  in  the  Cameron 
Church,  and  later  an  elder  in  the  WoodhuU  Church,  and  a  brother 
of  Chauncey  G.  Hubbard,  M.  D.,  an  elder  in  the  Hornellsville  1st 
Church.  For  a  time  he  supplied  the  Woodhull  Church.  Just  be- 
fore sailing  for  Turkey  Mr.  Hubbard  was  married  to  Miss  Emma 
Spencer,  a  daughter  of  Judge  Spencer,  of  Corning.  In  1876  Miss 
Olive  Whiting  went  from  the  Jasper  Church  to  Japan  as  a  mission- 
ary of  the  Presbyterian  Board.  Four  years  later  she  was  married  to 
Rev.  Charles  Bishop  of  the  Methodist  Church.  Miss  Mary  W.  Niles, 
M.  D.,  who  grew  up  in  the  Corning  and  Hornellsville  Churches 
where  her  father,  Rev.  William  A.  Niles,  D.  D.,  was  pastor,  has 
been  since  1888,  when  she  went  to  Canton,  China,  as  a  medical  mis- 
sionary, the  esteemed  missionary  of  the  Woman's  Presbyterial  Soci- 
etv.  Her  work  is  followed  by  the  churches  as  that  of  no  other  mis- 
sionarv.  Rev.  Gilbert  Reid,  who  has  succeeded  marvelously  in  in- 
teresting Li  Hung  Chang  and  many  other  high  Chinese  officials  in 
iin  "  International  Institute  "  for  China  to  be  situated  at  Pekin, 
and  who  has  succeeded  in  winning  for  this  work  the  services  of  Rev, 
William  A.  P.  Martin,  D.  D.,  LL.D.,  for  so  many  years  President 
of  the  Imperial  Tungwen  College  in  Pekin,  went  out  from  the  An- 
gelica Church.  His  father  was  pastor  of  the  Angelica  Church  from 
1868  to  1874,  and  he  himself  ministered  to  this  church  the  summer 
immediately  preceding  his  departure  for  China.  Mr.  Reid  wes  ten 
years  a  missionary  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  at  Chinanfu,  China, 
before  entering  upon  his  present  mission  to  the  higher  classes. 

Two  Presbyterian  missionaries  in  Siam  are  claimed  by  the  Howard 
Church — Rev.  A.  Willard  Cooper,  and  his  sister,  Miss  Larissa  Coop- 
er. Their  father  was  pastor  of  the  Howard  Church  from  1881  to 
1885.  Mr.  Cooper  was  ordained  by  Steuben  Presbytery  at  Corning 
Sept.  15,  1885.  He  reached  Siam  with  his  wife  Jan.  15,  1886,  but 
after  sixteen  months  work  Mrs.  Cooper's  health  failed.  For  the 
sake  of  Mrs.  Cooper  they  came  to  this  country  where  Mrs.  Cooper 
died  in  1890.  At  his  own  request  Mr.  Cooper  was  returned  by  the 
Board  as  a  missionary  to  Siam,  his  sister  going  with  him  as  a  com- 
panion. Very  soon  Miss  Cooper  became  a  teacher  in  the  girl's 
school  at  Bangkok.  Miss  Jennie  Ordway  of  Jasper  was  for  a  time  a 
missionary  of  the  Home  Board  at  Salina,  Utah,  and  later  at  Taos, 
New  Mexico.  A  member  of  the  Brazil  Presbyterian  mission  is  Rev. 
James  B.  Rodgers.     He  came  to  the  Belmont  Church  as  a  graduate 


MARCUS  WHITMAN. 
Statue  on  the  front  wall  of  the  Witherspoon  Building,  Philadelphia. 


MISSIONARIES.  51 

of  Auburn  Seminary  in  June,  1888,  and  after  service  as  a  pastor 
there  until  the  fall  of  1889,  sailed  for  Brazil  and  is  stationed  at  Ri- 
achwelo,  12  miles  from  Rio  de  Janeiro.  Rev.  Joseph  P.  White,  who 
supplied  the  Howard  Church  during  1894,  had  been  with  his  wife 
for  two  years  in  mission  work  among  the  miners  of  Juneau,  Alaska, 
and  Rev.  Hezekiah  Webster,  the  present  pastor  of  the  Howard 
Church,  was  from  1874  to  1877  a  tutor  in  Robert  College  at  Con- 
stantinople. Rev.  Frank  P.  Oilman,  a  missionary  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  at  Hainan,  China,  supplied  the  Belmont  Church  during 
the  seminary  vacation  of  1883.  From  1885  to  1888  Rev.  Duncan  Cam- 
eron, pastor  of  the  Canisteo  Church  from  1889  to  1897,  was  a  Presby- 
terian missionary  in  Chili,  South  America.  The  wife  of  Rev.  Court- 
ney H.  Feun,  since  1893  a  missionary  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Pekin,  China,  was  Miss  Alice  May  of  Corning,  and  Mr.  Fenn  him- 
self is  a  grandson  of  Rev.  Robert  E.  Willson,  once  pastor  of  the 
Hammondsport  Church,  and  later,  of  the  Corning  Church. 

THE  VVOMAN^S  HOME  AND  FOREION  MISSIONARY  SOCI- 
ETY OF  THE  PRESBYTERY  OF  STEUBEN. 

The  Woman's  Presbyterial  Society  was  organized  in  Corning  April 
18,  1876.  The  report  of  the  first  secretary,  Mrs.  James  McBurney, 
reads  thus :  *•  The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Mrs.  Dr.  W.  A. 
Niles,  Hornellsville,  and  held  in  the  parlors  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  It  was  opened  with  a  devotional  service",  A  noticeable 
feature  was  the  presence  of  the  pastor's  wife  and  the  wives  of  three 
former  pastors,  Mrs.  M.  L.  P.  Hjll,  Mrs.  Wm.  A.  Niles,  Mrs.  Dar- 
win Chichester,  and  Mrs.  F.  W.  Graves.  The  following  officers  were 
elected  :  President,  Mrs.  Wm.  A.  Niles,  Hornellsville;  Vice-Presi- 
dents, Mrs.  F.  W.  Graves,  Corning,  Mrs.  Fairchild,  Hammonds- 
port,  Mrs.  Sturdevant,  Prattsburg,  and  Mrs.  N.  K.  Hyatt,  Pulteney; 
Corresponding  Secretary,  Mrs.  N.  C.  Taylor,  Canisteo;  Recording 
Secretary,  Mrs,  James  McBurney,  Corning;  Treasurer,  Miss  Lillie 
Clark,  Hammondsport;  Auditor,  Mrs.  Judson,  Prattsburg. 

Seventeen  of  the  21  churches  in  the  presbytery  organized  societies 
auxiliary  to  the  Presbyterial  Society  during  the  first  two  years  of  its 
existence.  In  the  fall  of  1876  a  semi-annual  meeting  of  the  society 
was  held  in  Hornellsville  in  connection  with  the  meeting  of  synod. 
The  following  named  returned  missionaries  were  present:  Mrs.  Dr. 
H.  S.  West,  Sivas,  Turkey;  Rev.  George  W.  Coan,  Persia;  and  Rev. 
Maxwell  Phillips,  Mexico  City.  At  the  semi-annual  meeting  in 
Pulteney,  Sept.  10,  1878,  Miss  Kelsey,  medical  missionary  to  China, 
was  adopted  as  the  missionary  of  the  society  and  so  remained  until 
her  resignation  in  1881,     Since  then   Miss  Mary  W.  Niles,  M.  D., 


52  MISSIONARIES. 

of  Canton,  China,  has  been  the  beloved  foreign  representative  of  the 
society.  The  home  work  has  been  changed  many  times.  The  soci- 
ety has  helped  build  school  houses,  pay  teachers'  salaries,  send  chil- 
dren to  school— in  fact,  whatever  was  laid  out  for  it  to  do.  At  pres- 
ent the  society  is  interested  in  the  work  in  Alaska,  in  the  Ashville 
Farm  School,  and  in  the  Haines  Normal  and  Industrial  Institute  in 
Augusta,  Ga.  In  1895  the  society  published  a  Silver  Jubilee  me- 
morial of  "  Missionaries  from  the  Presbytery  of  Steuben". 

The  Presbyterial  Society  has  been  of  great  benefit  to  the  workers 
in  the  local  societies  in  bringing  them  together  once  a  year— some- 
times semi-annually.  The  attendance  at  the  annual  meeting,  has 
not  depended  on  the  presence  of  a  foreign  speaker.  Nevertheless, 
it  has  been  the  privilege  of  those  in  attendance  to  see  face  to  face 
some  of  the  well-known  workers  in  both  the  home  and  foreign  fields. 
In  addition  to  those  already  mentioned,  the  following  have  been 
present  at  society  meetings:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tracy,  Turkey;  Mr.  Mc- 
Kinnie;  Mrs.  W.  H.  Niles,  Texas;  Miss  Loring,  Syria;  Mrs.  D.  E. 
Finks,  now  editor  of  the  "  Home  Mission  Monthly";  Miss  Alice 
Barber,  who  told  about  '*  Our  Sort  of  Folks";  Miss  Mary  W.  Niles, 
M.  D.,  Canton,  China,  missionary  of  the  society;  Mrs.  Condit,  San 
Francisco;  Miss  Alice  Robertson,  Indian  Territory ;  Rev.  Gilbert 
Reid,  Pekin,  China;  Mrs.  L.  A.  Davis,  Kansas;  Miss  Fanny  Perley, 
Allahabad,  India;  Miss  Babbitt,  Mynpurie,  India;  and  Miss  Mary 
L.  Cort,  Siam. 

The  presidents  of  the  society  have  been:  Mrs.  William  A.  Niles, 
Hornellsville,  (three  times  chosen),  Mrs.  P.  M.  Olney,  Addison, 
Mrs.  M.  G.  Hill,  Corning,  Mrs.  Samuel  W.  Pratt,  Campbell,  Mrs. 
James  M.  Piatt,  Bath,  Mrs.  Joel  D.  Gillet,  Addison,  Mrs.  Ziba  N. 
Bradbury,  Pulteney,  Mrs.  Nathaniel  C.  Taylor,  Canisteo,  Mrs.  Ben- 
ton McConnell,  Hornellsville,  Mrs.  Francis  A.  Williams,  Corning, 
Mrs.  James  R.  Robinson,  Painted  Post,  and  Mrs.  Edgar  P.  Salmon, 
Campbell. 

Meetino-s  of  the  society  have  been  held  with  the  churches  in  Ad- 
dison, Almond,  Bath,  Campbell,  Canisteo,  Cohocton,  Corning,  Cu- 
ba, Hammondsport,  Hornellsville,  Painted  Post,  Prattsburg,  and 
Pulteney.     Campbell  has  entertained  five  meetings  of  the  society. 

In  the  year  1878,  at  the  meeting  in  Pultney,  we  find  the  amount 
of  contributions  reported  to  be  11,053. 18  as  against  $512.52  in  1876— 
the  societies  having  doubled  their  offerings  in  two  years.  The  ban- 
ner year  for  offerings  was  1894,  when  in  spite  of  financial  depression 
the  sum  given  was  $2,000,  The  increase  of  gifts  was  in  a  measure 
due  to  individual  offerings  from  consecrated  workers  in  Addison  and 
Hornellsville,  and  to  extra  gifts  from  the  Mission  Bands. 


Miss  MARY  W.   NILES.   M.  D..  Canton,  China. 


<X)MMl  NiCAXTtJ.  53 


COMMUNICANTS  REPORTED  TO  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY. 


1820  1830  1840  1850  1860  1870  1880  1890  1897 

1.  Prattsburg 234    378     355     340    289  245  153  182 

2.  Bath 65       90     157     200     220     210  260  367  380 

3.  Cohocton 21       50      27      37      52      22  51  50  62 

4.  Almond 237     310     375     205  150  145  163 

5.  Angelica 160       40     125     134  81  62  74 

6.  Corning 34   ... .       85     204     267  277  357  365 

7.  Howard 30     ...       91      80    100  72  80  97 

8.  Pulteney 98     119     113      86       90  117  156  143 

9.  Andover 22      32      45       76  71  91  129 

10.  Centerville 72       80       50       24  23  12  ... . 

11.  Cuba 161     185     111     164  173  187  210 

12.  Jasper 24....       62      87      78  122  95  99 

13.  Campbell.. 48      55      41       93  110  125  137 

14.  Hammondsport 70     140     125     105  100  189  197 

15.  Hornby 26      40      27  24  30  16 

16.  WoodhuU 22      32  40  20  30 

17.  Belmont 79  64  53  70 

18.  Hornellsville.  1st 94       97     190  293  350  475 

19.  Addison 20      43      92      85  110  163    195 

20.  Painted  Post 53      87      94  93  92  137 

21.  Arkport 47      37  50  74  108 

22.  Canisteo 47      63  118  155  351 

2*7  Canaseraga 36  62  90 

24.  Hornellsville  Hartshorn 107 

25.  Atlanta 79 

26.  A V oca • 105 


54  SKKTGHES    OF    KXISTINO    (HUKCHES. 


Sketches  of  Existing  Churches. 


THE  PRATT8BURG  CHURCH  (1804-1897). 
The  Prattsburg  Church*  was  the  first  organized,  and  to  1870  the 
largest  in  membership,  of  the  churches  now  in  Steuben  Presbytery. 
The  pioneer  of  Prattsburg  was  Capt.  Joel  Pratt,  a  Congregational ist, 
and  his  nephew,  Jared  Pratt,  was  the  first  permanent  settler.  Those 
who  came  first  were  largely  Congregationalists  and  every  settler  for 
some  years  was  taxed  for  the  churchf.  Mr.  John  Niles  came  with 
his  family  in  1803.  He  had  been  principal  of  Clinton  Academy — 
now  Hamilton  College — and  was  a  Congregational  licentiate.  The 
Sabbath  after  his  arrival  he  conducted  at  Jared  Pratt's  house  the 
li^rst  service  held  in  the  town.  June  26,  1804,  a  Congregational 
church  of  15  members  was  organized  at  the  house  of  John  Niles  by 
Rev.  Timothy  Field  of  Canandaigua.  Mr.  Niles  received  ordination 
from  the  Ontario  Association  June  11,  180G.  He  gave  one  half  of 
his  time  to  Prattsburg  and  the  other  half  to  Bath  until  1808J  when 
he  removed  to  Bath.  Previous  to  Mar.  0,  1839,  the  government  of 
this  church  was  purely  Congregational.  From  that  date  it  was 
o-overned  by  a  standing  committee  chosen  by  ballot  in  classes  annu- 
ally, of  which  the  pastor  was  chairman.  Nov.  18,  1808.  elders 
were  elected  and  the  church  became  fully  Presbyterian. 

In  1840  the  membership  was  378.  By  1876  there  had  been  #- 
ceived  into  membership  1,367.  This  church  gave  about  11,400  for 
Auburn  Theological  Seminary  at  its  founding  in  1820.  Rev.  James 
H.  Hotchkin  and  Judge  Robert  Porter  were  members  of  the  original 
Board  of  Commissioners§.     In  this  church  were  reared   Henry  H. 

*  See  "History  of  Western  New  York.""  by  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkiu,  pp.  4(53-407;  "Centeii- 
iiial  Sernion'",  by  Rev.  Samuel  W.Pratt,  published  in  "  PrattsbuiK  News-Extra",  .July  6, 
1876;  and  "  Histoi-y  of  Uie  Settlement  ot  Steul)en  ('ounly".  by  Uuy  H.  McMaster.  pp.  ISO- 
ISO  ' 

t  "  Mr.  Pratt  had  determined  to  form  a  church  as  well  as  a  town.  *  *  *  With  a  view  to  tlie 
accomplishment  of  this  object,  he  required  every  person  to  whom  he  sold  land, to  give  a 
note  t«  the  amount  of  *15  on  each  lou  acres  of  land  purchased  by  him.  payable  within  a  giv- 
eu  time,  with  the  legal  interest  annually,  till  paid  to  the  trustees  of  the  religious  society 
which  should  be  formed".  -McMaster. 

t  The  following  resolution  brings  to  mind  the  fact  that  the  fathers  kept  Saturday  night: 
•'"Voted  Oct.  11,  ISOS.  that  the  members  of  the  church  will  not  att«nd  raisings  or  other  simi- 
lar associations  on  Saturday  in  the  afternoon".  Deacon  l.,oomis  was  diligent  in  prosecuting 
all  who  traveled  on  Sunday  in  the  township.  The  outside  world  called  the  Prattsburg  peo- 
ple "Blue  Presbyterians"".— Rev.  Samuel  W  Pratt. 

S  As  president  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners,  Mr.  Hotchkin  presided  Oct  9,1821  when 
the  first  professors  of  the  Seminarv  were  installed. 


SKETCHES    OF    EXISTIxN'G    CHURCHES.  55 

Spalding,  Dr.  Marcus  Whitman's  associate,  and  Narcissa  Prentiss 
who  shortly  after  leaving  Prattsburg  became  Mrs.  Whitman.  Be- 
sides a  score  of  ministers'  wives,  the  following  have  gone  out  from 
this  church:  Silas  C.  Brown,  David  Judson,  Beriah  B.  Hotch- 
kin,  John  W.  Hopkins,  Edmund  F.  Waldo,  Theron  Loomis, 
Henry  H.  Spalding,  William  Beardslee,  David  Malin,  D.  D.,  Robert 
L.  Porter.  Charles  W.  Gurney,  Edward  Prentiss,  Levi  Waldo,  Cyrus 
C.  Rosenkrants,  James  M.  McLean,  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D.,  Silas  F. 
Judson,  George  Soutiiworth,  Piatt  H,  Skinner,  Edwin  S.  Skinner, 
David  F.  Judson,  J.  Merrill  Manning,  D.  D.,  John  E.  Benton. 
Norman  Prentiss,  James  H.  Phelps,  Theron  L.  Waldo,  and  Theo- 
dore B.  Williams*. 

In  1806  a  building  was  raised  which  cost  $220.  In  1808  it  was 
enlarged.  In  1820  this  building  was  sawn  apart  from  the  ridge  of 
the  roof,  one-half  moved  11  feet  out,  and  the  space  built  up  anew. 
So  it  remained  until  the  present  edifice  was  built,  which  was  dedicat- 
ed Feb.  13,  1828,  and  cost  about  $4,000t.  In  1880  the  interior  was 
remodeled  and  the  spire  rebuilt,  at  a  cost  of  $6,000,  including  fur- 
nishing.    The  manse  was  built  in  1832-3  at  an  expense  of  $850. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  ministers:  John  Niles.  1803-8; 
James  H.  Hotchkin,  P.,  1809-30:j;;  George  R.  Judd,  P.,  1830-36; 
Samuel  Griswold,  1836-7;  B.  Foster  Pratt,  P.,  1838-41;  Aaron 
Judson,  1841-3;  Benjamin  C.  Smith,  P.,  1844-59;  David  D.  Gre- 
gory, P.,  1860-6;  D.  Henry  Palmer,  D.  D.,  1867-71;  Samuel  W. 
Pratt,  1872-6;  Frederick  D.  Seward,  1877-9;  Lawrence  M.  Stevens, 
1879-87;  John  M.  Wolcott,  1887-90;  and  George  W.  Warren,  P., 
1890  to  the  present  time. 

The  following  have  served  as  elders:  Chaiies  G.  Higby,  U.  Tracy 
Carpenter,  Luther  Sturdevant,  John  D.  Hotchkin,  Paul  C.  Howe, 
Wm.  S.  Foster,  Martin  Miner,  James  H.  Hotchkin,  Ashman  Daboll. 

*  That  sn  many  ministers  and  ministers'  wives  have  gone  out  from  Prattsburg-  is  explained 
l)y  the  fact  that  Franklin  A'^ademy  was  there— from  the  first  as  now  standing  close  by  the 
ohurch.  Its  origin  was  almost  wholly  due  to  members  of  the  Presbyterian  cliurch.  In  1832 
the  question  of  an  academy  was  agitated.  In  1R23  the  inhabitants  of  Prattsburg  voluntarily 
taxed  themselves  $2,0flo  for  the  erection  of  this  academy,  besides  raising  over  $3,000  for  a 
permanent  fund.  The  Regents'  charter  of  Franklin  Academy  bears  the  date  Feb.  25  1824. 
In  1808  this  institution  became  Franklin  Academy  and  Union  Free  School.  ' 

t  There  never  was  any  stove  in  tlie  old  church.  Mr.  Hotchkin  used  often  to  preach  with 
striped  mittens  on.  The  women  used  foot-stoves— the  men  endured  it  as  best  they  could 
Members  of  the  church  carried  on  distilleries  in  those  days  but  drunkenness  was  disciplined 
Ten  gallons  of  whiskey  were  once  given  to  Mr.  Hotchkin  at  a  donation.— Rev  Samuel  W 
Pratt 

t  With  the  exception  of  a  year  or  two  he  gave  his  life  after  1809  to  Steuben  County.  He  was 
liorii  Feb  23,  17H1.  at  Cornwall,  Conn,  and  died  ;it  Prattsburg,  Sept.  8,  1851.  Rev.  Beriah 
Hotchkin  was  his  father.  He  graduated  from  Williams  College  in  1800.  He  may  be  said  to 
have  been  the  father  of  Bath  Presbytery.  His  monumental  work  is  his  "  History  of  West- 
ern New  York  "—invaluable  for  information  concerning  the  beginnings  of  Presbyterianism 
and  Congregationalism  in  Western  New  York,  the  organization  of  all  the  presbyteries  and 
associations,  and  sketches  of  all  Presbyterian  churches  organized  before  1846.  It  was  pub- 
lished in  18-18.  For  the  resolution  on  death  of  Hotchkin,  see  minutes  of  Bath  Presbytery 
•  Jan.  3,  1852,  -^       •' 


56  SKETCHES  OF    EXISTIXU    CHLUCHES. 

Stephen  A.  Jackson,  Elias  Wygant,  Dvvight  S.  Cook*,  John  A. 
Parker,  D.  Webster  Baldwin,  Addison  Aixswokth.  Henry  J. 
Pinneo,  George  W.  Howe,  Edward  P.  St.  John,  Sebastian  ii. 
Lewis,  and  Henry  G,  Skinner. 

June  10,  180e>,  the  church  was  enrolled  in  Ontario  Association. 
Sept.  21,  1813,  it  was  received  into  Geneva  Presbytery,  in  1817  into 
Bath  Presbytery,  and  since  1862  it  has  belonged  to  Steuben  Presby- 
terv.  The  following  stated  presbytery  meetings  have  been  held 
here:  Bath— 1817,  1821-3-7,  1833,  1842-5-7,  1850-2,  and  1861. 
Steuben— ISdb,  1870-3,  1882,  and  1890.  Presbytery  has  selected 
from  Prattsburg  the  following  commissioners  to  General  Assembly: 
Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin,  Philadelphia,  1815-16,  1823,  and  1826; 
Robert  Porter,  Philadelphia,  1816,  and  1827;  Stephen  Prentiss, 
Philadelphia,  1819;  Elam  Bridges,  Philadelphia,  1823,  and  1831; 
Rev.  George  R.  Rudd,  Philadelphia,  1832;  Jacob  VanValkenburg, 
Philadelphia,  1833;  Rev.  B.  Foster  Pratt,  Philadelphia,  1839;  Rev. 

B.  C.  Smith,  Detroit,  1850;  James  H.  Hotchkin,  Jr.,  Washington, 
1852,  Pittsburg,  1860,  Cincinnati,  1862,  and  Chicago,  1877;  Rev. 
David  D.  Gregory,  Cincinnati,  1862;  L.  Sturdevant,  Brooklyn,  1865; 

C.  C.  Baldwin,  St.  Louis,  1866;  Paul  C.  Howe,  New  York,  and 
Pittsburg,  1869,  and  Buffalo,  1881;  Rev.  D.  Henry  Palmer,  D.  D., 
Chicago,  1871;  U.  T.  Carpenter,  Baltimore,  1873;  Rev.  Samuel  W. 
Pratt,  Cleveland,  1875;  and  Rev.  Lawrence  M.  Stevens,  Cincinnati, 

1885.  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin  was  stated  clerk  of  Bath  Presby- 
tery from  1817  to  1830,  Rev.  George  R.  Rudd  from  1830  to  1836, 
Rev.  B.  Foster  Pratt  from  1836  to  1843,  and  Rev.  Benjamin  C. 
Smith  from  1852  to  1856.     The  Y.  P.   S.   C.  E.  was  organized  in 

1886,  the  first  in  Steuben  Coimty,  holding  its  first  meeting  Oct.  4, 
1886. 


THE  BATH  CHURCH  (1808-1897). 
On  Jan.  6,  1806,  in  the  school  house  on  Pulteney  Square,  Mr. 
John  Niles,  the  Prattsburg  Congregational  licentiate,  organized 
"The  Bathf  Religious  Society".  Mr.  Niles  visited  this  society 
frequently,  and  on  Jan.  3, 1808,  completed  the  church  organization^ 
by  receiving  14  members,  adopting  the  name  "The  Church  of 
Christ  in  Bath,    Presbyterian   Congregation",  choosing  the  Congre- 

*  Small  capitals  indicate  the  present  elders.  This  holds  true  in  all  the  following  sketches 
of  individual  churches. 

t  Captain  Williamson  planned  to  make  Bath  the  "Tyre  of  the  West  "—to  divert  traffic 
'rom  the  Mohawk  and  Hudson  to  the  Cohocton,  ('hemung  and  Susquehanna.— See  McMaster, 
•"»History  of  the  Settlement  of  Steuben  County",  page  71. 

t  bee  "Historical  Sermon",  (1893),  by  Rev.  Marcus  N.  Preston,  in  "Bath's  Centennial" ;  "His- 
tory of  Western  New  York",  by  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin.  pp.  477-481;  and  "History  of 
Steuben  County",  by  Guy  H.  McMaster. 


Elder  MOSES  VAN  CAMPEN,  Angelica. 


Elder  VIAL  THOMAS,  Angelica. 


Elder  JOSHUA  SARGENT,  Jasper. 


Elder  JOHN  CORYELL,  Pulteney. 


Elder  CHAUNCEY  B.  SMITH,  Hornellsville.  Elder  JOEL  D.  GILLET,  Addison. 


SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES.  57 

gational  form  of  government,  and  electing  Joseph  Inslee  and  Sam- 
uel S.  Haight  deacons.  The  charter  members  were  Joseph  and 
Elizabeth  Inslee,  William  and  Elizabeth  Aulls,  James  Turner, 
Eunice  Johnson,  Henry  A.  and  Elizabeth  Townsend,  Howell  and 
Eunice  Bull,  Robert  Campbell,  Mary  Shether,  and  Samuel  S.  and 
Mary  Haight.  Rev.  John  Niles  was  installed  pastor  by  a  committee 
of  the  Ontario  Association  July  ?,  1808.  Sept.  18,  1811,  the 
church  was  enrolled  in  Geneva  Presbytery  and  shortly  after  by  ad- 
vice of  presbytery  became  fully  Presbyterian  by  electing  as  elders 
William  Aulls,  Elias  Hopkins,  Samuel  S.  Haight,  Henry  A.  Town- 
send,  and  Howell  Bull. 

This  is  the  only  church  now  in  presbytery  which  was  "Old  School". 
Aug.  28,  1837,  probably  due  to  the  influence  of  Rev.  Isaac  W. 
Piatt,  a  majority  of  the  congregation  voted  to  withdraw  from  Bath 
Presbytery  and  to  seek  admission  to  Susquehanna  Presbytery  (0.  S.). 
A  little  later,  19  members  and  two  of  the  three  elders,  desiring  to 
retain  connection  with  the  neighboring  churches  in  Bath  Presbytery, 
withdrew  and  organized  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Bath  (Consti- 
tutional). An  edifice  was  erected  in  1841  on  the  site  of  the  present 
Purdy  Opera  House.  This  remained  an  independent  church  until 
in  1870  it  was  reunited  to  the  original  church.  From  about  1862 
to  1870  it  was  a  Congregational  church.  The  following  are  the 
ministers  who  served  it:  William  Strong,  Oris  Eraser,  P.,  Hiram 
Gregg,  Samuel  Porter,  Sabine  McKinney,  Loren  W^.  Russ,  P., 
George  Hood,  P.,  Edwin  Benedict,  H.  E.  Johnson,  C.  H.  DeLong, 
and  William  Dewey.  The  elders  who  served  were  John  Emerson, 
Ira  Gould,  John  Dudley,  Moses  F.  Whittemore,  Daniel  Seaver, 
Joseph  Breck,  and  John  Rose.  During  its  existence  this  second 
church  received  211  members. 

The  edifice  used  by  the  original  church  until  1874  was  dedicated 
Mar.  2,  1825.  In  1874  this  was  removed  that  the  present  stately 
church  might  be  built.  It  was  dedicated  in  1877,  having  cost  ex- 
clusive of  the  towers  $50,000.  In  1894  the  towers  were  raised  at  a 
cost  of  about  $12,000.  During  1897  the  auditorium  and  lecture 
room  were  extensively  changed  and  beautified  and  a  new  organ  pur- 
chased— all  made  possible  by  the  generosity  of  the  late  John  Daven- 
port, and  of  his  brother  Ira  Davenport.  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was 
organized  in  1886.  Worthy  of  record  is  the  success  of  the  late 
Harry  S.  Hull,  who  gathered  a  class  of  young  men  into  the  Sunday 
School  which  averaged  100  in  attendance  each  Sunday  for  6  months. 

Bath  Church  has  belonged  to  the  following  presbyteries:  Geneva, 
1811-17;  Bath,  1817-37;  Susquehanna  (0.  S.),  1837-8;  Caledonia 
(0.  S.),  1838-42;  Steuben  (0.  S.),  1842-53;  Genesee  River  (0.  S.), 


58  SKETCHES   OF   EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

1853-70;  and  Steuben,  1870  to  the  present.  Exclusive  of  Old  School 
meetings,  Bath  has  entertained  stated  meetings  of  presbyteries  as  fol- 
lows: Gefteva—18U;  Bath— 19,11, 1820, 1824, 1831, 1834, 1838, 1842, 
1846,  1850,  1852,  1856,  and  1861;  Steuben— l^'tO,  1877,  1886,  and 
1892.  Exclusive  of  those  chosen  by  Old  School  presbyteries,  Bath 
has  had  commissioners  to  General  Assembly  as  follows:  Rev.  John 
Niles,  Philadelphia,  1812;  Elias  Hopkins,  Philadelphia,  1812,  1816, 
and  1821;  Samuel  S.  Haight,  Philadelphia,  1812;  Rer.  David 
Higgins,  1820,  and  1831;  James  G.  Higgins,  Philadelphia,  1832; 
Joseph  Breck,  Philadelphia,  1849;  Rev.  Edwin  Benedict,  New 
York,  1856;  Rev.  James  M.  Piatt,  D.  D.,  Baltimore,  1873;  Edwin 
H.  Hastings,  Madison,  1880;  Zenas  L.  Parker,  Minneapolis,  1886; 
and  Rev.  Marcus  N.  Preston,  Portland,  1892.  Rev.  Edwin  Bene- 
dict was  stated  clerk  of  Bath  Presbytery  from  1857  to  1858;  Rev. 
James  M.  Piatt,  D.  D.,  of  Steuben  Presbytery  from  1870  to  1884; 
and  Rev.  Marcus  N.   Preston  of  Steuben  Presbytery  from  1889  to 

1896. 

The  following  in  the  ministry  have  labored  with  this  church: 
John  Niles,  P.,  1808-12;  David  Higgins,  P*.,  1812-31;  Isaac  W. 
Piatt,  P.,  1831-44;  L.  Merrill  Miller,  D.  D.,  1844-51;  George  D. 
Stewart,  D.  D.,  1851-9;  William  E.  Jones,  D.  D.,  1859-64;  James 
M.  Harlow,  1864-9;  James  M.  Piatt,  D.  D.,  P.,  1869-84;  Marcus 
N.  Preston,  1884-96;  and  Charles  Noble  Frost,  P.,  1896  to  the 
present  time. 

The  list  of  elders  is  as  follows:  William  Aulls,  Elias  Hopkins, 
Samuel  S.  Haight,  Henry  A.  Townsend,  Howell  Bull,  Finla  Mc- 
Lure,  Lyman  Hopkins,  Thomas  Aulls,  Phinehas  Warren,  Peter 
Halsey,  James  G.  Higgins,  John  Emerson,  Samuel  Rice,  Ira  Gould, 
Louis  Biles,  John  W.  Fowler,  Gustavus  A.  Rogers,  David  McMas- 
ter,  Edward  Crosby,  Samuel  Ensign,  Zenas  L.  Parker,  A.  H. 
Otis,  Edwin  H.  Hastings,  Ambrose  Kasson,  M.  D.,  Tenney  K. 
Gage,  Charles  VanWie,  John  F.  Parkhurst,  B.  F.  Smith,  Se- 
bastian G.  Lewis,  Eugene  F.  Parker,  John  H.  Bowlbt,  and 
Henry  0.  Elkins. 

*  "A  short,  rotund,  sunshiny  man".— Rev.  S.  M.  Campbell,  D.  D.,  in  "Sanctuary  Memo- 
ries" Mr.  Higgins  was  a  charter  trustee  of  Auburn  Seminary.  He  removed  to  Norwalk, 
Ohio  in  1835,  and  there  died  June  19,  1842,  aged  81,  in  the  55th  year  of  his  ministry.  For  an 
appreciative  sketch  of  Mr.  Higgins,  see  Hotchkin's  "  History  of  Western  New  York",  pp. 
265-271. 


SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES.  59 

THE  COHOCTON  CHURCH  (1809-1897). 
Though*  the  "  Bivens  Corners"  settlement  began  about  1795, 
not  a  sermon  was  preached  within  the  limits  of  the  present  town 
until  1807.  But  one  Congregationalist  lived  there  and  no  Presby- 
terians. In  1807  Elijah  Parker  and  Stephen  Crawford,  New  Eng- 
land Congregationalists,  came  with  their  families,  and  at  once 
started  religious  services  in  their  houses.  Rev.  Abijah  Warren  was 
engaged  in  June,  1809,  to  supply  them  one-third  of  his  time  for  a 
year,  and  on  Oct.  8,  1809,  a  Congregational  church  was  organized 
by  him  with  nine  members — Elijah  and  Mertable  Parker,  Stephen 
and  Ruth  Crawford,  Obadiah  and  Sybel  Woodward,  John  and  Jeru- 
sha  Slack,  and  Martha  Fowler.  There  was  no  edifice  for  about  20 
years,  services  generally  being  held  at  the  house  of  Horace  Fowler. 
Jan.  30,  1821,  the  church  was  enrolled  in  Bath  Presbytery,  so  re- 
maining until  in  1862  it  came  into  Steuben  Presbytery.  Elijah 
Parker  was  the  first  deacon.  In  1829  Horace  Fowler  and  Constant 
Cook  were  elected  trustees  and  a  church  built  which  was  dedicated 
Feb.  3,  1830.  In  1825  there  were  46  members,  and  about  100  in 
1830.  To  1825  the  supplies  were  Rev.  A.  C.  Collins,  ''Father" 
Daniel  Nash,  Rev.  Enoch  Whipple,  Rev.  Mr.  Ransom,  Rev.  Wm. 
Stone,  Rev.  Noah  Smith,  Rev.  Joseph  Crawford,  and  Rev.  Stalham 
Clary.  From  1825  to  1830  the  supplies  were  Revs.  Linus  W.  Bil- 
lington,  Jeremiah  Pomeroy,  James  H.  Hotchkin,  and  Sidney  S. 
Brown. 

From  1832  to  1868  were  discouraging  years.  In  1846  there  were 
but  27  members.  From  1835  to  1850  the  records  have  been  lost. 
From  1843  to  1847  Rev.  Stalham  Clary  supplied.  In  1850  the 
church  became  Presbyterian,  in  1853  Congregational  again,  and  on 
Oct.  21,  1854,  finally  Presbyterian.  Rev.  Joseph  Strough  preached 
from  1850  to  his  death  in  June,  1854;  then  Rev.  A.  T.  Wood  for 
about  two  years;  then  Rev.  J.  Wood  worth  for  over  two  years.  From 
March,  1861,  to  1869  Rev.  M.  B.  Gelston  of  Naples  preached  occa- 
sionally. 

The  church  was  reorganized  Aug.  6,  1869.  The  old  edifice  and 
a  manse  were  sold  and  the  proceeds  devoted  to  a  new  church  which 
was  dedicated  Nov.  14,  1872.  At  the  same  time  Rev.  Charles  B. 
Austin  was  installed  the  first  pastor,  remaining  until  Feb.  27,  1876. 
Rev.  John  Waugh  came  July  15,  1878,  was  installed  Nov.  7,  1878, 
and  remained  pastor  until  Apr.  3,  1893.  He  died  in  Cohocton  Oct. 
20,  1897,  aged  83.  The  50th  anniversary  of  his  ordination  was 
celebrated  in  Cohocton  in  July,  1890.     In  1889-90  the  church  was 


*  Most  of  the  facts  of  this  sketch  were  furnished  by  J.  Leonard  Waugh. 


60  SKETCHES    OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

repaired.  The  manse  was  built  in  1879.  In  Oct.,  1893,  Rev.  Frank 
S.  Swan,  M.  D.,  the  present  pastor,  began  his  work.  In  1895,  mainly 
by  the  effort  of  Edgar  A.  Higgins,  a  chapel  was  added  to  the  church. 
The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  organized  in  1887. 

Besides  Elijah  Parker,  these  have  been  deacons:  Stephen  Craw- 
ford, Horace  Fowler,  Allers  Haight,  Calvin  Blood,  and  Alphonso 
Bacon.  The  following  were  ordained  elders  in  the  years  named: 
1850,  Dennis  Conner,  Abram  Waugh,  and  A.  A.  Slack;  1855,  Calvin 
Blood;  1856,  C.  V.  K.  Woodworth;  1859,  Charles  W.  Bronson,  and 
Melvin  H.  Davis;  1864,  A.  H.  Bacon;  1869,  Philip  C.  Hoag;  1881, 
Samuel  F.  Woodworth,  and  Thomas  B.  Fowler,  M.  D.;  1897, 
Clifford  M.  Crouch,  and  Samuel  J.  Depew. 

Cohocton  has  had  stated  meetings  of  Bath  Presbytery  in  1825, 
1829,  1851,  1856,  and  1858,  and  of  Steuben  Presbytery  in  1875, 
1878,  1885,  and  1897.  The  following  from  Cohocton  have  been 
commissioners  to  General  Assembly:  Abram  Waugh,  Utica,  1851, 
and  Chicago,  1858;  Calvin  Blood,  New  York,  1856;  Philip  C.  Hoag, 
Cleveland,  1875;  Rev.  John  Waugh,  Saratoga,  1884;  Samuel  F. 
Woodworth,  Cincinnati,  1885;  and  Thomas  B.  Fowler,  M.  D.,  Sar- 
atoga. 1890. 


THE  CORNING  CHURCH  (1811-1897). 
This  church*  was  known  originally  as  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Painted  Post.  During  1810  the  people  of  Painted  Post 
township  engaged  Rev.  Clement ,  Hickman  to  preach  to  them  and 
July  1,  IBll,  a  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  by  Rev.  John 
Niles  of  Bath.  Aug.  19,  1812,  it  was  enrolled  in  Geneva  Presbytery 
and  Aug.  25,  1812,  Rev.  Clement  Hickman  was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled. The  church  included  members  in  all  parts  of  Painted 
Post  township — now  Hornby,  Campbell,  Erwin,  Corning,  Lindley, 
and  Caton.  Meetings  were  held  in  different  places  to  accommodate 
a  larger  number.  From  1816  to  1821  there  was  no  minister  and  a 
part  of  the  time  no  Sabbath  service,  but  owing  to  the  devotion  of 
some  women — among  them  Mrs.  Bonham,  Mrs.  Ann  McCall,  and 
Mrs.  John  McBurney — the  prayer  meeting  and  Sabbath  School  were 
maintained.  When  William  Steele  came,  already  an  elder,  regular 
worship  was  established.  While  Rev^.  Thomas  Lounsbury  ministered 
the  field  extended  from  Big  Flats  to  Campbell  and  the  labors  of  the 
Sabbath  were  divided  between  three  or  four  settlements.  In  1831-2 
during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  David  Higgins  60  were  added  to  the 

*  Many  of  the  facts  for  this  sketch  were  furnished  by  Rev.  Alfred  J.  Hutton,  D.  D.    See 
Hotchkin,  "History  of  Western  Mew  York",  pp.  451-4M. 


Elder  SOLOMON  CLARK,  Hammondsport. 


Elder  MOSES  LOCKHART,  Almond. 


Elder  GEORGE  KARR.  Almond. 


Elder  HENRY  A.  MEAD,  Cuba. 


Elder  CHARLES  J.  CHATFIELD,  Painted  Post.  Elder  ZENAS  L.  PARKER,  Bath 


SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING  CHURCHES.  61 

church.  About  this  time  the  first  edifice  was  built  in  what  is  now 
the  5th  Ward  at  a  cost  of  $3,000  and  dedicated  free  from  debt. 
Under  the  ministry  of  Re\.  Samuel  M.  Hopkins,  afterwards  for  50 
years  professor  of  Church  History  in  Auburn  Seminary,  a  new 
church  was  built  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  for  $2,700  and  dedi- 
cated clear  of  debt  Apr.  28,  1842.  Aug.  10,  1843,  the  name  was 
changed  to  that  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Corning. 

Early  in  1845  a  second  church  was  organized  under  the  old  name. 
Painted  Post  1st,  from  46  members  who  presented  letters  from  the 
Corning  Church.  Rev.  Horatio  Pattengill,  D.  D.,  was  the  only 
pastor,  and  Apr.  2,  1849,  it  was  reunited  to  the  parent  church.  In 
1853,  during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Robert  E.  Willson,  Rev.  Samuel 
D.  Burchard,  D.  D.,  assisted  in  special  meetings  and  84  were  added 
at  one  communion.  During  the  ministry  of  Rev.  William  A.  Niles, 
D.  D.,  there  were  two  revivals — one  in  1864,  and  another  in  1866 
when  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond  assisted  and  80  were  received  into  mem- 
bership. In  1867,  during  Dr.  Niles'  ministry,  the  present  church 
edifice  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $50,000.  During  Rev,  John  S.  Ba- 
con's ministry,  the  manse  was  built  on  the  site  of  a  former  manse. 
It  is  valued  at  about  $7,000. 

The  following  have  gone  out  from  this  church  to  the  ministry  or 
mission  field:  Robert  F.  Sample,  D.  D.,  Phinehas  Wolcott  Calkins, 
Frederick  Calkins,  William  Henry  Niles,  Miss  Mary  W,  Niles,  M.  D., 
of  China,  Mrs.  Emma  Spencer  Hubbard,  of  Turkey,  Thomas  H. 
Hedges,  and  Horace  Pond.  A  Young  People's  Society  organized 
in  1866  was  reorganized  Apr.  1,  1889,  into  the  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  The 
Woman's  Missionary  Society  was  organized  in  1876,  the  Young 
Ladies'  Missionary  Society  in  1879,  and  the  Busy  Bees  in  1883. 

From  1812  to  1817  this  church  belonged  to  Geneva  Presbytery, 
from  1817  to  1836  to  Bath  Presbytery,  from  1836  to  1862  to  Che- 
mung Presbytery,  and  since  then  it  has  been  a  part  of  Steuben  Pres- 
bytery. Corning  has  had  the  following  stated  meetings  of  presby- 
teries: Bath — 1822,  and  1834;  Chemung — 1837,  1842,  1851,  and 
1858;  Steuben— \S<6'^,  1867,  1872,  1876,  1885,  1889,  and  1895.  The 
following  commissioners  to  General  Assembly  have  been  selected 
from  Corning:  William  Steele,  Philadelphia,  1822,  1824,  and  1829; 
John  C.  Hayt,  Philadelphia,  1838;  Rev.  Robert  E.  Willson,  St.' 
Louis,  1855;  Rev.  William  A.  Niles,  D.  D.,  St.  Louis,  1866,  and 
Philadelphia,  1870;  William  D.  Terbell,  M.  D.,  Rochester,  1867; 
Francis  A.  Williams,  Detroit,  1872,  and  Saratoga,  1883;  Henry  C. 
May,  M.  D.,  Brooklyn,  1876;  Rev.  M.  L.  P.  Hill,  D.  D.,  Saratoga, 
1879;  Rev.  John  S.  Bacon,  Saratoga,  1890;  and  Edward  Clisdell, 
Portland,  1892.  Rev.  John  Smith  was  stated  clerk  of  Chemung 
Presbytery  from  1836  to  1840,  and  Rev.  William  A.  Niles,  D.  D.,  of 
Steuben  Presbytery  from   1865  to  1870. 


6^  SKETCHES  OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

The  following  ministers  have  served  this  church:  Clement  Hick- 
man, 1810-16;  Thomas  Lonnsbury,   1821-3;  Gilbert,  1822-5; 

Reuben  Sanborn,  1826-7;  David  Harrowar,  1828-9;  David  Higgins, 
1831-2;  John  Barton,  1832-5;  John  Smith,  1836-8;  F.  W.  Graves, 
1839;  Samuel  M.  Hopkins,  D.  D.,  P.,  1840-2;  Joshua  B.  Graves, 
P.,  1842-7;  Job  Pierson,  D.  D.,  1847-9;  Asahel  L.  Brooks,  P., 
1849-51;  Robert  E.  Willson,  P.,  1851-5;  Darwin  Chichester,  P., 
1856-9;  William  A.  Niles,  D.  D.,  P.  E.,  1859-72;  Anson  G.  Ches- 
ter, D.  D.,  1872-5;  M.  L.  Perine  Hill,  D.  D.,  P.  E.,  1875-83; 
John  S.  Bacon,  P.  E.,  1883-93;  and  Alfred  J.  Hutton,  D.  D.,  P., 
1 895  to  the  present. 

The  records  of  the  church  from  1811  to  1834  have  been  lost,  and 
in  part  from  1845  to  1847.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  elders  as 
complete  as  can  be  made:  William  Steele,  John  Sample,  Henry 
H.  Matthews,  John  C.  Hayt,  Phinehas  Little,  Dyer  Ford,  Eliphalet 
S.  Rose,  William  S.  Miller,  Lemuel  H.  Robinson,  Elijah  Judd, 
Bradford  A.  Potter,  Jared  A.  Redfield,  Nathan  Tidd,  Charles  E. 
Osborne,  Alanson  Edwards,  William  D.  Terbell,  Schuyler  Johnson, 
Cornelius  T.  Putney,  Levi  W.  Rowley,  Richard  C.  West,  Thomas 
Ambler,  Uriah  D.  Hood,  Gilbert  E.  Burton,  Henry  M.  Hyde, 
Lewis  Davenport,  George  Thompson,  Zenas  L.  Parker,  Charles 
VanAme,  Henry  C.  May,  Francis  A.  Williams,  Justin  M.  Smith, 
John  N.  Hungerford,  Edward  Clisdell,  W.  S.  Dickinson,  James 
Henderson,  Cyrus  S.  Hood,  Charles  E.  Benedict,  Frank  6. 
Osborne,  Neville  E.  Waite,  Reuben  F.  Rouse,  William  T. 
Smith,  Harry  C.  Heermans,  and  Thomas  H.  Appleby. 


THE  ALxVIOND  CHURCH  (1812-1897). 
In*  1796  or  1797  a  Dutch  Reformed  Church  was  organized  in 
Almond  (.then  Alfred)  by  Rev.  Andrew  Grayf — the  first  church  or- 
ganization in  Steuben  or  Allegany.  About  1804  services  were  dis- 
continued. Within  the  limits  of  Hornellsville  lived  Judge  George 
Hornell,  in  "the  old  red  house".  It  was  for  his  father  that  Hor- 
nellsville was  named.  In  the  red  house  in  1808  Rev.  Samuel  Parker, 
a  voung  missionary  and  later  the  founder  of  the  Oregon  Mission, 
held  services.  Mr.  Hornell  urged  that  a  minister  be  sent  to  reside 
on  the  field  and  as  a  result  of  Mr.  Parker's  effort  Rev.  Robert  Hub- 
bard, a  Congregational  licentiate,  came  in  1811  to  Almond  and  An- 

*  Kev.  Frank  U.  Bisbe©  fiirnished  many  facts  for  this  sketch. 

+  "  Judge  Philip  Church  described  him  as  a  '  broad-shouldered  man,  of  extraordinary 
muscular  power,'  and  said  '  I  remember  his  getting  so  earnest  on  one  occasion  when  preach- 
ing in  Angelica,  in  enforcing  religious  precepts  upon  his  back-woods  congregation,  that  in 
his  gestures  he  knocked  to  piecesour  store  desk  that  we  gave  him  for  a  pulpit".-  "Allegany 
County  History".  (1896). 


SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING  CHUKCHE8.  63 

gelica.  May  5,  1812,  as  a  result  of  Mr.  Hubbard's  work.  Rev.  John 
Niles  of  Bath  organized  the  Alfred  (Almond)  Presbyterian  Church, 
the  oldest  church  in  Allegany  County,  The  leading  members  were 
those  who  had  belonged  to  the  earlier  Dutch  Reformed  Church.  21 
members  were  received — the  name  of  George  Hornell,  a  son  of 
Judge  Hornell,  being  the  first  recorded.  The  original  field  of  the 
Almond  Church  included  Arkport  and  Hornellsville.  Henry  Mc- 
Henry,  Samuel  Kerr,  and  Christopher  Hurlbut  were  ordained  elders 
on  the  day  of  organization.  Angelica  Church,  organized  next  day, 
was  grouped  with  Almond,  and  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard,  on  Aug.  20, 
1812,  was  ordained  by  Geneva  Presbytery  and  installed  pastor  of 
both.  Samuel  Kerr  was  chosen  deacon.  The  session  apparently 
failed  to  keep  any  records  until  1827. 

Almond  has  been  favored  with  many  revivals  and  the  church  for 
many  years  was  the  strongest  in  presbytery.  In  1831  nearly  100 
were  received;  in  1834,  about  30;  in  1837,  48;  in  1843,  27;  in  1845, 
26;  and  in  1854  about  84.  In  1860  there  were  375  members.  The 
first  edifice,  built  in  1814  on  the  present  manse  lot,  is  now  a  part  of 
S.  S.  Karr's  barn.  The  present  church  was  erected  in  1835  for 
about  $3,000,  enlarged  in  1851,  and  repaired  and  modernized  in 
1873.  In  1848  the  ''Gospel  lot"  of  100  acres,  presented  by  the 
Pulteney  estate  to  the  first  religious  organization  in  the  township, 
was  sold  and  the  manse  built.  The  estimated  value  of  the  church 
is  $5,000  and  of  the  manse  $1,500.  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  organ- 
ized about  1889. 

The  following  have  been  ordained  elders:  In  1812,  Henry  Mc- 
Henry,  Samuel  Kerr,  and  Christopher  Hurlbut;  in  1832,  James 
Hurlbut,  Christopher  Cary,  and  Rufus  Whitney;  in  1837,  George 
Karr,  Moses  Lockhart,  Philip  McHenry,  Philip  Ferry,  and  A.  L. 
Cady;  in  1846,  Wm.  Hyde,  and  Robert  H.  Coleman;  in  1849,  E. 
W.  Ewers;  in  1868,  John  Hamlin;  in  1873,  Hiram  Karr,  Geobge 
Benjamin,  and  Newton  S.  Cabtee;  and  in  1887,  Walter  Kakr, 
and  John  B.  Ferry. 

From  1812  to  1817  the  church  was  enrolled  in  Geneva  Presbytery; 
from  1817  to  1828  in  Bath  Presbytery;  from  1828  to  1859  in  Angel- 
ica Presbytery;  from  1859  to  1886  in  Genesee  Valley  Presbytery; 
and  since  1886  in  Steuben  Presbytery.     Rev.   Moses  Hunter*  was 

•"Mr.  H  unter  was  regarded  as  somewhat  eccentric.  He  bad  an  idea  that  the  church  was 
vastly  too  much  conformed  to  the  world,  especially  in  dress,  and  gave  a  specimen  of  what 
men's  dress  ought  to  be.  For  winter  he  would  have  the  cloth  made  of  wool,  equally  mixed 
with  natural  black  and  white  wool,  well  woven,  but  without  any  coloring  or  dressing,  such 
as  was  called  at  that  day  sheep's  grey.  The  coat  was  made  straight  up  and  down  witii  a 
narrow  standing  collar,  and  held  (I  think)  around  the  body  by  a  girdle" — Mowry  Thacher, 
in  "  Semicentennial  of  Hornellsville  Church".  Mr.  Hunter's  appearance  in  General  Assem- 
bly in  this  homespun  dress  made  him  somewhat  a  home  missionary  lion.  Mr.  Hunter  later 
with  a  Rev.  Dr.  Nelson,  founded  the  "  Mission  Institute,"  at  Quincy,  III.  Mr.  Hunter  wJien 
in  Almond  received  pupils  into  his  home.  Among  these  in  1836  was  a  boy  of  12  who  later 
became  Rev,  Samuel  M.  Campbell,  D.  D.    See  "  Evangelist".  .!»«•  1*.  ^>*^- 


G4  SKETCHES  OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

stated  clerk  of  Angelica  Presbytery  from  1828  to  1839,  and  Rev. 
Joel  Wakeraan,  D.  D.,  from  1846  to  1852;  Rev.  Isaac  G.  Ogden  of 
Genesee  Valley  Presbytery  from  1859  to  1870;  and  Rev.  Dwight  K. 
Steele  from  1883  to  1884.  Almond  has  had  stated  meetings  of  pres- 
byteries as  follows:  Bath  — IS\8,  and  1826;  Angelica— \m2,  1841, 
1846,  1848,  1850,  1853,  and  1856;  Genesee  Valley — 1859,  1865, 
1869,  1873,  1879,  and  1883;  and  Steuben — 1887.  The  following 
have  been  chosen  from  Almond  commissioners  to  General  Assembly: 
Rev.  Robert  Hubbard,  Philadelphia,  1819,  and  1825;  James  Hurl- 
but,  Philadelphia,  1834,  and  1843;  Rev.  Moses  Hunter,  Philadel- 
phia, 1835;  Rev.  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D.,  Philadelphia,  1846,  Detroit, 
1850,  and  New  York,  1856;  A.  L.  Cady,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia,  1846; 
Robert  H.  Coleman,  Detroit,  1850,  and  Cincinnati,  1862;  George 
Karr,  Harrisburg,  1868;  Rev.  Isaac  G.  Ogden,  Philadelphia,  1870; 
and  Rev.  Dwight  K.  Steele,  Pittsbvarg,  1878. 

Those  who  have  served  in  the  ministry  are  the  following:  Robert 
Hubbard*,  P.,  1812-29;  James  Gaboon;  Moses  Hunter,  P.,  1833-9; 
Abiel  Parmelee,  1839-44;  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D.,  P.,  1844-65; 
Gustavus  R.  Alden,  P.,  1866-7;  Isaac  G.  Ogden,  1867-71;  Joel 
Wakeman,  D.  1).,  1872-4;  Dwight  K.  Steele,  P.,  1875-85;  D.  Miz- 
ener,  1885-6;  Lester  S.  Boyce,  P.,  1887-9;  Ziba  N.  Bradbury, 
1889-91;  J.  D.  Hillman,  1892-:3;  and  Frank  H.  Bisbee,  P.,  1894 
to  the  present  time. 


THE  AiNGELICA  CHURCH  (1812-1897). 
"  On  the  6th  day  of  May  ISPi  a  Church  was  formed  At  Angelica 
by  Mr.  Niles  when  the  following  persons  became  members,  viz. : 
Moses  VanCampen.  James  Renwick,  David  Chamberlain,  Peggy  Van- 
Campen,  Prudence  Johnson.  Moses  VanCampen  was  chosen  and  or- 
dained as  ruling  elder  in  the  Church  on  the  same  day^\  Such  is  the 
first  entrv  in  the  minutes.  "  Mr.  Niles^'  was  the  Rev.  John  Niles  of 
Bath "  Moses  VanCampen^''  the  famous  pioneer.  Major  VanCam- 
pen. The  Almond  Church  had  been  organized  by  Mr.  Niles  the  day 
before  and  the  two  were  grouped  together.  On  Aug.  20,  1812,  the 
Presbvtery  of  Geneva  oitlained  and  installed  Rev.  Robert  Hubbardf , 
who  came  in  1811,  pastor  of  both  churches.  From  1845  to  1849 
the  Congregational  form  of  government  was  used  and  for  convenience 
again  from  1857  to  1859.     The  church  grew  slowly  until  1835  when 

*pje(3  at  Canisteo  May  24,  1*40,  aged  57.  For  James  H.  Hotchkin's  comments  on  Mr. 
Hubbard,  see  "  History  of  Western  New  York",  pp.  95-97. 

+"The  installaiion  services  were  held  at  Angelica,  in  the  veranda  of  the  house  ot  Evert  Van 
VPickle  Esq  [now  H.  S.  Hastings')  the  female  part  of  the  congregation  being  commoded 
with  seats  in  the  house,  and  most  of  the  males  in  the  open  air  in  front  of  the  house".— 
Hotehkin.  "  History  of  Western  New  York."  p. 97. 


jm-  ^^ 


Elder  URIAH  D.  HOOD,  Corning. 


Elder  CHARLES  AMSDEN,  Cuba. 


Elder  NATHANIEL  C.  TAYLOR,  Canisteo.  ^j^^^.  jq^j^  HURLBUT,  Arkport. 


Elder  JOHN  A,  PRENTISS,  Pulteney.  Elder  CHARLES  A.  KNOX,  Campbell 


SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING  CHUKCHES.  65 

as  a  result  of  special  services  conducted  by  Rev.  Samuel  W.  May, 
assisted  by  Eev.  Leverett  Hull,  about  90  were  added — 48  being  re- 
ceived on  March  6th,  In  1840,  160  members  were  reported — the 
highest  membership  ever  attained. 

The  first  edifice  was  erected  in  1829-31  on  the  lot  next  west  of 
the  residence  of  Hon.  Fred  A.  Eobbins.  In  this  building  early  in 
1836  Miss  Narcissa  Prentiss,  a  member  of  the  church,  was  married 
by  Rev.  Leverett  Hull  to  Marcus  Whitman,  M.  D.  It  was  sold  in 
1856  to  the  trustees  of  Angelica  Academy  and  in  1868  burned.  The 
present  church  was  built  in  1857  and  remodeled  for  an  organ  in 
1866.  The  manse  property  was  purchased  in  1859.  The  Y.  P.  S. 
C.  E.  was  organized  May  29,  1890;  and  the  Woman^s  Missionary 
Hociety  Dec.  17,  1895.  Three  at  least  have  gone  out  from  this 
church  to  be  successful  workers — Rev.  Asa  S.  Allen,  who  came  from 
the  Andover  Church,  Mrs.  Marcus  Whitman,  who  came  from  the 
Prattsburg  Church,  and  Rev.  Gilbert  Reid,  A.  M.,  of  Pekin,  China. 

The  following  have  served  in  the  eldership:  Moses  VanCampen, 
1812-31;  Vial  Thomas,  1828-85;  Samuel  S.  Haight,  1828-33;  Wil- 
liam Geiger,  1828-36;  Asa  S.  Allen,  1833-7;  Charles  Patrick,  1836- 
43;  Jacob  Schoonover,  1836-41;  Stephen  Prentiss,  1836-42;  Saxton 
Burr,  1852-79;  Wm.  B.  Colson,  1852-60;  H.  S.  Beals,  1859-75; 
A.  B.  Palmer,   1859-83;  Alfred  Lockhart,  1859-85;  Wm.  J.  Niles, 

1859-69;  David    L.   Hunn,   1865-70;  James  Benham,  1865 ;  J. 

E.    Kobinson,   1865 ;  Charles  P.   Arnold,    1873-97;    A.    W. 

Chamberlain,  1873-3;  C.  C.  Lovell,  1873-3;  Spencer  White, 
1886-97;  and  Frederick  A.  Robbins,  1886-89. 

IMie  ciiurch  was  enrolled  in  Geneva  Presbytery  Aug.  19,  1812.  It 
was  transferred  to  Bath  Presbytery  in  1817,  to  Angelica  Presbytery 
ill  1828,  to  Genesee  Valley  Presbytery  in  1859,  and  to  Steuben  Pres- 
bytery in  1886.  The  following  stated  presbytery  meetings  have 
been  held  in  Angelica:  Bath — 1822;  Angelica — 1828-9,  1830-1, 
1837-8,  1841,  1846,  and  1854;  Genesee  Fa^%— 1859,  1863-4,  1871, 
1877,  and  1886;  and  Steuben — 1896.  Angelica  has  furnished  the 
following  commissioners  to  General  Assembly:  Rev.  Robert  Hub- 
bard, Philadelphia,  1819  and  1825;  Rev.  Moses  Hunter,  Philadel- 
phia, 1828-9  and  1832;  Samuel  S.  Haight,  Philadelphia,  1829  and 
1832;  Rev.  Samuel  W.  May,  Philadelphia,  1834;  Rev.  Leverett 
Hull,  Philadelphia,  1837;  Stephen  Prentiss,  Philadelphia,  1837; 
Charles  Patrick,  Philadelphia,  1840;  Rev.  Tyrell  Blair,  Buffalo, 
1853;  Rev.  Henry  E.  Niles,  D.  D.,  Wilmington,  1859;  Wm.  J. 
Niles,  Pittsburg,  1860;  Rev.  E.  W\  Stoddard,  D.  D.,  Cincinnati, 
1862;  A.  B.  Palmer,  Philadelphia,  1863;  Alfred  Lockhart,  St. 
Louis,  1866,   Pittsburg,  1869,  Detroit,  1872,  and  Cleveland,  1875; 


66  SKETCHES    OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

Charles  P.  Arnold,  Springfield,  1882;  and  Rev.  David  McLeod, 
Minneapolis,  1886.  Rev.  Moses  Hunter  was  stated  clerk  of  Angelica 
Presbytery  from  1828  to  1839,  Rev.  David  McLeod  of  Genesee  Val- 
ley Presbytery  from  1885  to  its  dissolution,  and  Rev.  James  A.  Mil- 
ler, Ph.  i).,  of  Steuben  Presbytery  from  1896  to  the  present  time. 

The  following  have  served  this  church  in  the  ministry:  Robert 
Hubbard,  P.,  1812-26;  Moses  Hunter*,  P.,  1827-33;  Samuel  W. 
May,  1833-5;  Leverett  Hull,  P.,  1835-7;  Abiel  Parmelee,  1838;  0. 
W.  Norton,  1839;  Charles  B.  Smith,  1840;  George M.  Ooan,  1841-2; 
James  Smith,  1842;  Leverett  Hull,  1843-4;  Horace  Fraser,  1845-8; 
Francis  V.  Warren,  1849;  Samuel  Center,  1850;  Tyrell  Blair,  P., 
1850-5;  Henry  E.  Niles,  D.  D.,  1856-9;  Elijah  W.  Stoddard,  D.  D.. 
1860-4;  Elias  L.  Boing,  P.,  1864-7;  John  Reid,  P.,  1867-74;  Eu- 
gene P.  Cheeseman,  1874;  Fred  S.  Hayden,  1874-7;  Francis  V. 
Warren,  1877;  Robert  R.  Kendall,  1877-81;  Gilbert  Reid,  1882; 
David  McLeod,  P.,  1883-9;  and  James  A.  Miller,  Ph.  D.,  P.,  1890 
to  the  present  time. 


THE  HOWARD  CHURCH  (1815-1897). 

Howardf ,  originally  a  part  of  Canisteo,  was  settled  about  1805, 
but  in  1811  there  were  not  more  than  a  dozen  houses  in  the  town. 
The  first  religious  service  was  conducted  by  Rev.  Samuel  Parker. 
The  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  by  Rev.  Enoch  Whipple,  a 
missionary,  and  Rev.  David  Higgins,  of  Batli,  July  5,  1815,  at  the 
school  house  of  the  "  Pond  settlement"  (Smith's  Pond),  three  miles 
northeast  of  the  present  village.  Rev.  David  Higgins  preached 
from  Acts  2:47.  Seven  were  received  by  letter — "  Roswel  Tichner 
and  Jane  his  wife,  Robert  Smith  and  Sarah  his  wife,  David  Smith 
and  Sarah  his  wife,  and  Catherine  the  wife  of  Henry  Pawling". 
Lewis  (Ludowicus)  Winne  was  received  on  examination.  At  this 
meeting  the  Presbyterian  form  of  government  was  adopted.  After 
the  first  entry  no  further  records  are  preserved  for  over  six  years. 

The  first  elders  recorded  were  Elisha  Wilber  and  Jacob  Winne, 
chosen  Feb.  12, 1822.  These,  with  Israel  Baldwin  and  Lewis  Winne 
who  had  been  chosen  at  a  previous  meeting,  were  ordained  by  Rev. 
David  Higgins.  Israel  Baldwin  was  clerk  of  session  from  the  first 
until  1860  when  ill  health  compelled  his  resignation.  For  20  years 
the  congregation  worshipped  in  the  school  house  and  dwelling  houses 

*  Another  man  of  considerable  mark,  who  occasionally  stopped  with  us  for  a  sermon,  was 
Rev  Moses  Hunter.  He  would  sometimes  appoint  preaching  at  sunrise,  and  what  was  more, 
the  people  would  come.  Then  he  would  go  on  to  Erwin  Center  and  preach  again,  taking 
Painted  Post  by  the  way".— Rev.  Samuel  M.  Campbell,  D.  D.,  in  dedicatory  sermon  "Sanc- 
tuary Memories",  at  Campbell,  in  1868. 

+  Most  of  the  facts  for  this  sketch  were  furnished  by  Rev.  Hezekiah  Webster. 


SKETCHES   OF   EXISTING   CHURCHES.  67 

near  "  the  Poud".  In  1835-6  an  edifice  was  built  in  the  village. 
The  congregation  owned  7  acres  of  land  adjacent  to  the  house  of 
worship.  In  1868  the  manse  was  moved  to  its  present  site  and  re- 
paired at  a  cost  of  $1,770.  In  1871  the  church  was  renovated  and 
a  basement  finished  under  it  all,  at  a  cost  of  $4,400.  The  present 
value  of  the  whole  property  is  about  $4,000.  During  August,  1897, 
the  church  was  damaged  $300  by  lightning. 

The  church  was  enrolled  in  Bath  Presbytery  Aug.  29,  1820,  and 
in  1862  became  a  part  of  Steuben  Presbytery.  The  following  stated 
meetings  of  presbytery  have  been  held  in  Howard:  Bath — 1840, 
1848,  and  1857;  Steuben— ISm,  1874,  1884,  and  1892.  The  fol- 
lowing commissioners  to  General  Assembly  have  been  selected  from 
this  church:  Rev.  Levi  Rose,  Philadelphia,  1849;  Rev.  William  R. 
Downs,  Chicago,  1858;  Rev.  Ziba  N.  Bradbury,  St.  Louis,  1874; 
Martin  Higgins,  Saratoga,  1884;  and  Alonzo  VanWie,  Detroit,  1891. 

There  is  a  Woman's  Missionary  Society,  and  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society. 
The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.,  organized  early  in  1889,  is  a  union  society  of 
the  Presbyterian  and  Baptist  Churches.  Rev.  A.  Willard  Cooper 
started  for  his  mission  field  in  Siam  while  his  father  was  supplying 
this  church,  and  Miss  Larissa  Cooper,  his  sister,  also  in  Siam,  was 
for  a  time  a  member  of  this  church.  In  Howard  village  Dr.  Marcus 
Whitman  induced  Rev.  and  Mrs.  H.  H.  Spalding  to  exchange  the 
Osage  for  the  Oregon  Mission.  The  following  21  men  have  been 
elders,  ordained  in  the  years  given:  1822,  Israel  Baldwin,  Ludowi- 
cus  Winne,  Elisha  Wilber,  and  Jacob  Winne;  1829,  John  Conner; 
1833,  Henry  VanHousen,  and  David  Stevenson;  1847,  Samuel  Ri- 
der; 1852,  Edwin  Shaver,  and  Isaac  Baldwin;  1857,  James  Hoag- 
land,  and  Alexander  Conner;  1863,  Andrew  Sharp,  and  Abram 
H.  Baldwin;  1869,  Alonzo  VanWie,  and  Martin  Higgins;  1871, 
Henry  J.  VanWie,  and  William  S.  Goff;  1875,  Francis  Otis;  1893, 
Henry  McAdam;  and  1895,  John  W.  Willis.  In  1869  the  rotary 
system  of  eldership  was  adopted. 

Rev.  Ziba  N.  Bradbury  is  the  only  installed  pastor  the  church  has 
had.  He  was  ordained  in  this  church  upon  graduation  from  the 
seminary,  labored  here  an  aggregate  of  ten  years  in  three  distinct 
periods,  and  died  while  ministering  here.  Two  ministers  of  this 
church  lie  in  the  Howard  cemetery — Levi  Rose,  and  Ziba  N.  Brad- 
bury. Among  the  supplies  during  the  first  ten  years  were  Joseph 
Crawford,  Stalham  Clary,  and  James  H.  Hotchkin.  From  1826  the 
list  of  ministers  is  as  follows:  Lyman  Barrett,  1826 — April,  1834; 
Samuel  T.  Babbitt,  April,  1834— April,  1835;  David  High,  occa- 
sionally during  1835;  John  T.  Baldwin,  1836—1837;  William  Good- 
ell^  1839—1842;  Gilbert  North rup,   1842—1843;  John  G.   L.  Has- 


68  SKETCHES  OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

kins,  1843 — 1844;  Levi  Rose,  1845 — to  his  death  June  4,  1852; 
Edwin  Benedict,  December,  1853—1854;  William  R.  Downs,  1855 
—1858;  Frederick  Graves,  1859—1861;  Ziba  N.  Bradbury,  1862— 
1866;  Charles  Milne,  1867—1868;  James  H.  Board,  1868—1872; 
Ziba  N".  Bradbury,  P.,  1872—1876;  Ephraim  W.  Kellogg,  April, 
1877— March,  1880;  Alvin  Cooper,  1881—1885;  W.  H.  Shelland 
(a  Lutheran  minister),  1887—1888;  Nathan  Bosworth,  1890—1891; 
Ziba  N.  Bradbury,  1891 — to  his  death  April  4,  1893;  Joseph  P. 
White,  September,  1893 — September,  1894;  and  Hezekiah  Webster, 
April  1,  1895.  to  the  present  time. 


THE  PULTENEY  CHURCH  (1817-1897). 

Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin*  began  preaching  occasionally  within 
Pulteney  as  early  as  1809.  Soon  after  Jabish  Havens,  an  elder  of 
the  Ulysses  Church,  settled  in  Pulteney  and  instituted  regular  Sab- 
bath worship.  July  29,  1815,  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin  presided  in 
a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Augustus  Tyler,  when  the  Presbyte- 
rian Society  was  organized  and  John  Williams,  John  Ellis,  and 
Jabish  Havens  elected  trustees.  Mar.  19,  1817,  Jabish  Havens  re- 
quested of  the  Bath  Presbytery,  holding  its  first  meeting  in  Pratts- 
burg,  assistance  in  organizing  a  church.  Presbytery  appointed  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Lazel  and  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkin  a  committee  to  visit 
Pulteney  and  assist  in  organizing  if  expedient.  At  Bath,  Aug.  26,. 
1817,  this  committee  reported  to  presbytery  that  a  church  of  12 
members  had  been  organized  in  Pulteney  June  2,  1817. 

Services  at  the  first  were  held  generally  in  the  school  houses. 
Durino-  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Beriah  Hotchkin  three  school  houses 
were  used — that  at  Stewart's  Corners,  that  near  Mr.  Tyler's,  and 
that  near  Mr.  Champlin's.  For  one  year  Mr.  Hotchkin  supplied 
Pultenev  in  connection  with  Wheeler — removing  then  to  Pulteney 
and  giving  his  whole  time.  Rev.  Ziba  N.  Bradbury  ministered  to 
this  church  over  18  years — 5  years  at  one  time  and  13  years  at  an- 
other. During  1831,  under  Rev.  Samuel  White's  ministry,  57  mem- 
bers were  received;  in  April,  1837,  under  Rev.  B.  B.  Smith,  32  were 
received;  in  March,  1849,  under  the  second  ministry  of  Rev.  Samuel 
White,  26  were  enrolled;  and  25,  Apr.  10,  1870,  under  Hev.  Z.  N. 
Bradburv.  The  society  received  a  gift  of  100  acres  from  the  Pul- 
teney estate.  The  first  edifice  was  built  during  1835  near  the  house 
of  Mr.  Nevyus.  The  location  of  the  edifice  was  the  occasion  of  a 
division  of  the  church.  About  20  members  living  at  the  south 
extremity  of  the  town  took  letters  of  dismission  and  were  organized 

*  Many  of  the  facts  of  this  sketch  were  furnished  by  Rev.  William  A.  Reid,  Ph.D. 


Elder  CHAUNCEY  P.  HUBBARD.  WoodhuU. 


Elder  PHILIP  C.  HOAG,  Cohocton. 


Elder  MARTIN  HIGGINS,  Howard. 


Elder  ALONZO  VAN  WIE,  Howard. 


Elder  THADDEUS  J.  BAKER,  M.  D.,  Andover.  Elder  T.  SCOTT  THACHER,  Hornellsville. 


SKETCHES  OF   EXISTING   CHURCHES.  69 

into  a  Congregational  church  in  connection  with  the  Genesee  Con- 
sociation. This  church  survived  about  15  years.  Rev.  Elijah  Wool- 
age,  Rev.  Samuel  Porter,  and  Rev.  Samuel  White  being  its  minis- 
ters. The  present  edifice  in  Pulteney  village  was  built  in  1851.  By 
the  help  of  Rev.  John  S.  Bacon,  who  lives  in  Pulteney,  it  was  in 
1895  cleared  of  debt,  and  in  this  same  year  seat  rents  were  abolished 
and  the  envelope  system  started.     The  society  owns  a  manse. 

The  Pulteney  Church  was  enrolled  in  Bath  Presbytery  Aug.  26, 
1817,  and  in  1862  came  into  Steuben  Presbytery.  The  following 
stated  meetings  of  presbytery  have  been  held  in  Pulteney:  Bath — 
1819,  1838,  1843,  1855,  and  1858;  Steuhen—\%^^ ,  1871,  and  1878. 
Presbytery  has  chosen  the  following  commissioners  to  General  As- 
sembly from  the  Pulteney  Church:  Rev.  Charles  Yale,  Philadel- 
phia, 1824;  Daniel  S.  Benton,  Pittsburg,  1835,  and  Philadelphia, 
1838;  Rev.  Theron  L.  Waldo,  Brooklyn,  1876;  and  Rev.  Ziba  N. 
Bradbury,  Omaha,  1887. 

The  list  of  ministers  is  as  follows:  Ebenezer  Lazel,  1817-20 
(about);  Charles  Yale,  P.,  1823-5;  Beriah  Hotchkin,  Oct.,  1824-7; 
Stalham  Clary,  May,  1828-30;  Samuel  White,  April,  1831— Sept., 
1832;  Asa  Messer;  Benjamin  B.  Smith,  July,  1834 — June  1,  1837; 
Samuel  T.  Babbitt,  July  2,  1837— Jan.,  1840;  James  H.  Hotchkinf, 
Jan.  2,  1841— April,  1843;  Samuel  White,  P.,  May,  1843— October, 
1852;  Francis  V.  Warren,  April,  1853— October,  1859;  Albo  L. 
Green,  Oct.  I,  1865 — Jan.,  1867;  Ziba  N.  Bradbury,  Jan.  1,  1867 — 
Sept.  29,  1872;  Theron  L.  Waldo,  July  1,  1873— May,  1876;  Ziba 
N.  Bradbury,  P.,  July  1,  1876— July  1,  1889;  C.  C.  Thorne,  Nov. 

I,  1889— Nov.  I,  1890;  William  C.  Matthews,  P.,  Sept.  1,  1891— 
June  3,  1894;  and  William  A,  Reid,  Ph.  D.,  Dec.  26,  1895  to  the 
present  time. 

In  the  following  list  of  elders  those  who  died  in  office  are  starred: 
Jacob  Bachman,  June  9,  1817 — Aug.  19,  1861*;  Jabish  Havens, 
June  9,  1817— Mar.  29,  1840*;  John  Prentiss,  June  9,  1817— Nov., 
1840*;  Joseph  Hathaway,  Nov.  1,  1817— June  1,  1827;  Eli  Picket, 

April   10,    1819 ;  Benjamin    Welles,    April,    1829 — July  26, 

1885*;  Joseph  Vorheis,  Oct.  23,   1831 ;  John  Coryell,  Oct. 

23,  1831— Nov.  9,   1885*;  Daniel  S.  Benton,   Oct.  23,  1831— Feb. 

II,  1853*;  Joseph  St.  John,  Jan.  27,  1839— Sept.  30,  1852*;  Josiah 
Dunlap,  Jan.  27,  1839— May  22,  1858;  John  A.  Prentiss,  July  26, 
1863— May  8,  1878*;  Beriah  H.  Hotchkin,  July  26,  1863— June  1, 
1877*;  Jacob  Hess,  July  26,   1863— Feb.  17,  1872*;  Hiram  D.  To- 

t  "  The  Rev.  James  H.  Hotchkia,  an  admirable  specimen  of  the  clergy  of  the  olden  time. 
He  stood  erect,  full  six  feet  high  and  well  proportioned,  had  a  fine  forehead,  crowned  with 
hair  as  white  as  snow:  was  educated,  correct,  dignified,  genial,  orthodox;  and, when  he  fell 
a-preaching,  or  a-praying,  kept  straight  on  to  the  end  of  his  subject,  without  the  slightest 
regard  to  the  whims  of  his  congregation,  or  the  tokens  of  passing  time".— Rev.  Dr.  S.  SL 
Campbell  in  "  Sanctuary  Memories". 


70  SKETCHES  OF   EXISTING   CHUKCHES. 

mer,  June  23,  1867— May,  1892*;  Wilson  Nevyus,  Feb.  8,  1874— 

;  Jeremiah  J.  Hess,  Feb.  8,  1874 ;  Calvin  McKinney, 

Sept.  4,  1892—1893;  William  Hess,  Apr.  1,  1893 ;  Amasa 

J.  Nichols,  Apr.  30,  1893 ;  and  Frank  C.  Pollat,  Oct. 

13,  1894 . 


THE  ANDOVER  CHURCH  (1824-1897). 
The*  first  religious  serrice  in  Andover  was  held  in  the  house  of 
Nathaniel  Dike,  the  first  settler  of  Allegany  County,  by  Rev.  Silas 
Hubbard.  Thaddeus,  Alpheus,  Seth,  and  Joseph  Baker,  who 
came  about  1808,  though  not  members,  were  attached  to  the  Con- 
gregational Church.  Joseph  Woodruif  who  came  soon  after  the 
Bakers,  Mrs.  Luther  Strong  who  with  her  husband  and  family  came 
about  1815,  deacon  and  Mrs.  Asa  S.  Allen  and  Amherst  Kingsbury 
who  came  in  1823,  were  members  of  Congregational  churches. 
•  On  July  14,  1824,  a  Congregational  church  was  organized  by  Rev. 
Robert  Hubbard,  pastor  of  the  Angelica  and  Almond  churches,  and 
the  following  persons  received  as  members:  Joseph  Woodruff,  Sam- 
uel Mallory,  Amherst  Kingsbury,  Asa  S.  Allen,  Lydia  Allen,  and 
Abigail  Strong.  Asa  S.  Allen  was  chosen  deacon  and  clerk.  The 
church  became  Presbyterian  Nov.  3,  1876.  The  following  have 
been  ordained  elders:  Nov.  3,  1876,  John  Bowlsby,  Thaddeus  J. 
Baker,  M.  D.,  and  Martin  L.  Comstock;  Feb.  5,  1881,  Oliver  Rose- 
bush, and  Geo.  Oestrich;  June  27,  1886,  Thomas  Comstock,  and 
James  E.  Redmon;  Jan.  30,  1887,  Waldo  W.  Miller;  Oct.  26, 1890, 
John  Knox  Miller,  and  William  H.  Phillips;  1897,  George 
W.  Probasco. 

The  church  was  enrolled  in  Bath  Presbytery  from  Jan.  30,  1827, 
to  Oct.  7,  1828;  in  Angelica  Presbytery  from  Oct.  7,  1828,  to  Sept. 
28,  1858;  in  Genesee  Valley  Presbytery  from  Sept.  28,  1858,  to  Oct. 
21,  1886;  since  then  it  has  belonged  to  Steuben  Presbytery.  An- 
gelica Presbytery  held  stated  meetings  in  Andover  in  1848  and  1855: 
Genesee  Valley  in  1864, 1868, 1875,  and  1880;  and  Steuben  in  1888. 
The  following  commissioners  to  General  Assembly  have  been  chosen 
from  Andover:  Asa  S.  Allen,  Philadelphia,  1833;  Elijah  Hunt, 
Troy,  1856;  T.  J.  Baker,  M.  D.,  Chicago,  1877;  Rev.  Albert  C. 
Titus,  Saratoga,  1879;  W.  W.  Miller,  Omaha,  1887;  and  Rev. 
George  M.  Janes,  Saratoga,  1896. 

The  first  church  building,  dedicated  Dec.  11,  1840,  was  destroyed 
by  fire  in  1866.  The  present  edifice  was  dedicated  Jan.  23,  1868, 
and,  after  thorough  repairing,  rededicated  in  August,  1887.  A 
manse   owned   several   years  in  the  early  history   was   finally   gold. 

*  ReT.  George  M .  JaneB  contributed  many  facts  to  this  sketch. 


SKETCHES   OP    EXISTING  CHUKCHES.  71 

The  present  manse  was  built  in  1893.  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  or- 
ganized Jan,  20,  1890.  There  is  a  Woman's  Missionary  Society,  a 
Ladies'  Aid  Society,  and  a  Mission  Band.  Four  at  least  from  the 
congregation  have  entered  the  ministry — Daniel  Russell,  Asa  S. 
Allen,  Daniel  Eedmond,  Ph.  D.,  and  James  A.  Miller,  Ph.  D.  The 
''Harvest  Home",  held  annually  in  a  grove,  is  an  established  insti- 
tution of  this  church.  :  .: 
The  following  ministers  have  served  the  church:  Silas  Hubbard,? 
1827-9;  Jabez  Spicer*,  M.  D.,  1829-35;  Asa  S.  Allen,  1838-9; 
Benjamin  Eussell,  1840-2;  Jacob  Russel,  1843-4;  James  Conlej, 
1845-6;  Samuel  A.  Rawson,  1851-3;  James  Conley,  1854-6;  Foster 
Lilly,  1856;  J.  Blakeslop,  1856-7;  Benjamin  Eussell,  1858-9;  Jo- 
seph R.  Johnson,  1859-60;  J.  Wynkoop,  1860-3;  Philander  Camp, 
1863-8;  Benjamin  Russell,  1871-4;  George  B.  Nutting,  1874;  J.  S. 
Bingham,  1874-6;  Albert  C.  Titus,  1876-81;  Jesse  Lee,  1882-3? 
Benjamin  Gr.  VanCleve,  P.,  1886-9;  and  George  M,  Janes,  1889  to 
the  present  time.  ^ 

THE  CENTERVILLE  CHURCH  (1824-1897).  ' 

Rev.  Silas  Hubbard  organized  this  church  with  14  members  July 
25,  1824.  In  1843  it  had  109  communicants.  There  are  now  but 
a  few  members,  and,  excepting  the  summer  of  1897,  there  have 
been  no  services  for  years.  It  was  enrolled  in  Genesee  Presbytery, 
in  1824,  in  Angelica  Presbytery  in  1829,  in  Genesee  Valley  Presby-, 
tery  in  1859,  and  in  Steuben  Presbytery  in  1886.  Among  its  min- 
isters have  been:  Horatio  Waldo,  John  T.  Baldwin,  Lemuel  Hall, 
Phinehas  Smith,  Leonard  Rogers,  Samuel  Sessions,  Lyman  B.  Wal- 
do, John  W.  Lane,  and  Franklin  S.  Spencer.  A  house  of  worship, 
costing  ^3,000,  was  erected  during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  John  W. 
Lane. 

THE  CUBA  CHURCH  (1824-1897). 
Thef  first  preaching  in  Cuba  was  about  1820  by  Rev.  Robert  Hub- 
bard of  Angelica.  The  Cuba  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized 
by  Rev.  Reuben  Hurd,  and  Capt.  James  Davison,  of  the  Haight 
Presbyterian  Church,  July  19,  1827.  The  ten  who  then  united 
were  Henry  Stephens,  William  Hicks,  Kendal  Wilder,  Gordon  Ken- 
edy, Horatio  Orton,  Elinor  Baird,  Margaret  Huntley,  Lucy  Hicks, 
Eunice  Brownson,  and  Lucy  Kenedy.     Feb.  8,  1833,  Kendal  Wil- 

♦  "It  is  said  that  Rev.  Jabez  Spicer,  who  was  also  a  physician,  was  the  first  to  practice 
medicine  here  [Andover].  This  is  related  of  him.  Receiving  an  urgent  call  to  visit  a  patient 
just  as  he  was  beginning  his  usual  Sunday  sermon,  he  announced  that  the  meeting  would 
stand  adjourned  for  two  hours.  '  straddled'  his  horse,  went  several  miles,  visited  his  pa- 
tient, returned,  and  resumed  the  services  where  they  had  been  dropped''.— Centennial  His- 
tory Allegany  County 

t  Rev.  Robert  Clements  furnished  most  of  the  facts  for  this  sketch. 


72  SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

ner  and  Josiah  Bond  were  chosen  elders.  In  1833  there  was  a  revi- 
val which  added  89  to  the  church,  and  in  1838  another  which  added 
about  50.  Feb.  12,  1835,  the  church  adopted  the  Congregational 
form  of  government.  Aug.  26,  1835,  48  persons  were  dismissed  to 
form  the  Friendship  Congregational  Church.  Before  this  date  the 
two  were  together — the  services  being  held  sometimes  in  Cuba  and 
sometimes  in  Friendship.  June  18,  1842,  the  church  became  fully 
Congregational,  and  Oct.  1,  1842,  fully  and  finally  Presbyterian. 

The  first  structure  was  completed  and  dedicated  in  1838.  In  1870 
this  was  removed  that  the  present  edifice,  built  during  the  pastorate 
of  Rev.  Corliss  B.  Gardner,  D.  D.,  might  be  erected.  The  corner 
stone  was  laid  July  4,  1871,  and  it  was  dedicated  June  13,  1872.  It 
cost  about  $20,000.  In  1892,  by  the  will  of  Mrs.  Mary  Gurnee 
Lancaster,  the  church  acquired  her  home  for  a  manse,  and  about 
$1,500  have  been  expended  since  in  repairs. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  elders:  Kendal  Wilder,  1833-64; 
Josiah  Bond,  1833;  Eli  R.  Burr,  1834-42;  Obadiah  Rouse,  1834-5; 
Stephen  Bartle,  1842-71;  Joseph  Bachus,  1842-3;  Stephen  Pren- 
tiss,  1842 ;  Horatio   Orton,    184.3-53;    Martin    Smith,    1845-8; 

Wolcott   Hatch,    1845-62;    Ammi    Carrier,    1845-8;    John  Hurty, 

1845 ;    Henry   A.    Mead,    1851-79;  Charles  Amsden,   1853-88; 

Charles  P.  Robinson,  1860-5;  Amasa  Fuller,  1871-96;  Alvin  B. 
Webster,  1871-97;  Enos  Keller,  1871-93;  John  C.  Young,  1876- 
95;  J.  Monroe  Barnes,  1879-91;  Robert  C.  Mead,  1888-92;  Wal- 
ter J.  Amsden,  1891-7;  Palmer  P.  Peckham,  1892-7;  Charles 
fl.  Fuller,  1892-7;  Albert  H.  Bishop,  1893-7;  and  Clinton 
H.  Miner,  1895-7. 

Rev.  Reuben  Hurd  of  Haight,  and  Rev.  Moses  Hunter  of  Angeli- 
ca, supplied  occasionally  for  the  first  few  years.  The  list  of  minis- 
ters is  as  follows:  Samuel  W.  May  (also  supplied  Angelica),  1833-5; 
William  Bridgeman  (half  time  at  Friendship),  1835-6;  Asa  S.  Allen,. 
1837-46;  Nathan  Leighton,  1846-9;  Jefferson  Wynkoop,  P.,  1849- 
52;  Nathan  Allen,  P.,  1853-9;  William  C.  White,  1860-1;  John 
E.  Baker,  1863-5;  Corliss  B.  Gardner,  D.  D.,  P.,  1865-74;  John 
C.  Taylor,  P.,  1875-83;  Charles  P.  Luce,  Ph.  D.,  P.,  1883-9;  Wil- 
liam G.  White,  P.,  1890-4:  and  Robert  Clements,  P..  1894  to  th(* 
present  time. 

This  church  was  enrolled  in  Angelica  Presbytery  Feb.  24,  1829; 
Jan.  4,  1859,  enrolled  in  the  new  Genesee  Valley  Presbytery;  and 
Oct.  21,  1886,  became  a  part  of  Steuben  Presbytery.  It  has  enter- 
tained the  following  stated  presbytery  meetings:  Angelica — 1839,. 
1844,  1847,  and  1854;  Genesee  Fo/Zey— 1863,  1870,  1874,  1878, 
1881,    and    1884;  Steuben— \^^%,  and    1894.     The   following  from 


1 

t'-.^*"' 

1 

^^F^^^H 

^■P 

IM^f^HMBH! 

Elder  EDWARD  H.  SMITH,  Painted  Post.  gj^g^  ADDISON  AINSWORTH,  Prattsburg. 


Elder  JAMES  CRAIG,  Canaserag 


Elder  HYATT  C.   HATCH,  Atlanta. 


Mr.  CHARLES  HARTSHORN.  Hornellsville.  Mr.  JOHN  D.  HAMILTON,  Campbell. 


SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES.  73 

Cuba  have  represented  presbytery  as  commissioners  to  General  As- 
sembly: Rev.  Asa  S.  Allen,  Philadelphia,  1838,  and  1840;  Rev. 
Nathan  Allen,  and  Stephen  Bartle,  St.  Louis,  1855;  Kendal  Wil- 
der, Dayton,  1864;  Henry  A.  Mead,  Rochester,  1867;  Rev.  Corliss 
B.  Gardner,  D.  D.,  New  York,  1869,  and  St.  Louii,  1874;  Rev. 
John  C.  Taylor,  Buffalo,  1881;  and  Rev.  Charles  P.  Luce,  Ph.  D., 
New  York,  1889.  Rev.  Asa  S.  Allen  was  stated  clerk  of  Angelica 
Presbytery  from  1839  to  1846,  and  Rev.  John  C.  Taylor  of  Genesee 
Valley  Presbytery  from  1882  to  1883. 

July  18  and  19,  1897,  this  church  celebrated  its  seventieth  anni- 
versary with  fitting  services. 


THE  JASPER  CHURCH  (1824-1897). 

Bennett's  Creek*  Presbyterian  Church  was  enrolled  in  Bath  Pres- 
bytery Aug.  29,  1826,  Enoch  Ordway  of  Jasper  appearing  as  elder. 
To  this  church  Jasper  Presbyterians  belonged.  Aug.  27,  1829, 
Bath  Presbytery  granted  a  petition  presented  by  Jasper  residents  of 
the  Bennett's  Creek  Church  asking  to  be  organized  as  an  independ- 
ent church.  Oct.  29,  1829,  the  committee  of  presbytery — Rev.  Da- 
vid Higgins,  Bath,  Rev.  Lyman  Barrett,  Naples,  and  Israel  Bald- 
win, Howard — met  the  petitioners  in  Jasper  at  the  house  of  Henry 
Prentice  and  organized  the  Jasper  Presbyterian  Church  by  receiving 
24  members  from  the  Bennett's  Creek  Church,  and  4  from  the  Bath 
Church.  Next  day  Joshua  Sargent  and  Enoch  Ordway  were  con- 
stituted elders. 

Services  were  held  the  first  year  in  Henry  Prentice's  house;  next 
year  in  the  Wellis  house  on  the  Francis  Woodward  place;  then  sev- 
eral years  in  a  log  school  house  near  the  Hampshire  Church.  In 
1846  a  church  was  built  on  the  State  road,  occupied  a  few  times  be- 
fore completion,  finished  Nov.  24th,  and  burned  Sabbath  Nov.  25th, 
before  service.  A  portion  of  the  "glebe  lot"  of  100  acres,  donated 
by  the  Pulteney  estate  to  the  first  church  organized  in  the  township, 
was  sold,  and  another  edifice  was  erected  near  the  Hampshire  school 
house.  This  house  was  dedicated  in  December,  1849.  Feb.  15, 
1872,  the  present  building  in  Jasper  village,  built  for  $6,000,  was 
dedicated  and  occupied.  The  church  owns  a  manse  with  large  lot 
and  barn. 

From  its  organization  to  1836  the  Jasper  Church  belonged  to  Bath 
Presbytery.  In  1836,  with  the  other  South  Steuben  churches,  it 
was  set  off  into  the  new  Chemung  Presbytery.  Upon  petition  of 
the  church,  synod  in  October,  1847,  restored  it  to  Bath  Presbytery — 

*  Much  essential  to  this  sketch  was  srleaued  from  John  L.  Jenkins'  printed  sermon. 


74  SKETCHES    OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

the  only  one  of  the  South  Steuben  churches.  Since  1863  it  has  been 
enrolled  in  Steuben  Presbytery.  Jasper  has  had  four  stated  meet- 
ings of  presbytery:  Bath — 1854,  and  1859;  Steuben — 1877,  and 
1886.  It  has  had  one  commissioner  to  General  Assembly — Charles 
G.  Hutchinson,  Saratoga,  1894.  Two  have  gone  out  to  the  foreign 
mission  field — Rev.  J.  L.  Whiting  to  China,  and  Olive  Whiting  to 
Japan.  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  organized  May  24,  1896,  and  the 
Junior  Society  a  few  weeks  before.  The  "Semi-Centennial"  sermon 
preached  in  1879  by  Rev.  John  L.  Jenkins  was  published. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  elders  with  their  years  of  service:  Joshua 
Sargent,  1829-82;  Enoch  Ordway,  1829-33;  Jonathan  B.  Prentice, 
1831-80;  David  Woodward,  1833-52;  Thomas  Whiting,  1847-78; 
Wm.  H.  Prentice,  1847-78;  Samuel  Dennis,  1864-83;  J.  Sumner 
Sargent,  1870-97;  Jonathan  L.  Ordway,  1870-97;  Charles 
G.  Hutchinson,  1883-97;  Arthur  S.  Lamson,  1883-97;  J.  Burn- 
ham  Sargent,  1889-97;  Oscar  J.  Cole,  1889-97;  and  Oliver 
M.  Whiting,  1889-97. 

For  a  good   many  years  the  Jasper  minister  has  served  also  the 

Woodhull    Church.     The   following   is   the   list  of  ministers:  

Woolwich,  1830;  Jeremiah  L.  Pomeroy,  1831-4;  Noah  Thomas, 
1834;  Oren  Johnson,  1835-6;  Robert  Hubbard,  1837-8;  Noah 
Cressy*,  1839-41;  Thomas  W.  Duncan,  1843-5;  George  T.  Everest, 
P.,  1846-51;  George  Spalding,  1852-3;  Harvey  Hyde,  1854-6; 
George  VanDeurs,  1857-8;  Samuel  A.  Rawson,  1858-67;  Alexan- 
ander  Gulick,  1868-72;  John  E.  Beecher,  1873-6;  Arthur  N.  Bru- 
en,  1876-9;  John  L.  Jenkins,  1879-83;  Minor  Swick,  1884-9;  Ed- 
win H.  Burgess,  1889-91;  Charles  W.  Maccarthy,  1891-5;  and  Al- 
bert R.  Crawford,  1896  to  the  present  time. 


THE  CAMPBELL  CHURCH  (1831-1897). 
Thef  first  attempt  to  organize  a  church  in  Campbell  was  not  suc- 
cessful. From  1811  to  1814  there  were  a  good  many  meetings  of 
"  The  First  Presbyterian  Cohocton  Congregation  or  Society".  Rev. 
Clement  Hickman,  of  Painted  Post  (Corning),  was  secured  for  one- 
fourth  of  his  time  at  the  rate  of  $500  per  year.  It  was  voted  to 
build  a  church,  but  nothing  came  of  it  except  that  Mr.  Hickman 
preached  often.     The  Campbell  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized 

*His  first  sermon  at  Jasper  was  from  full  not^s.  The  people  went  home  saying.  "  We  can 
do  our  own  reading'".  It  came  to  his  ears,  and  the  next  Sunday  he  not  only  preached  with- 
out notes,  but  gave  out  and  repeated  his  hymns,  and  repeated  a  good  long  chapter  from  the 
Bible  without  opening  a  book.  It  is  said  he  never  after  that  opened  a  Bible  or  a  hymn  book 
in  that  pulpit — though  not  often  conducting  his  service  at  Campbell  in  that  way. — See  Dr. 
S.  M.  Campbell's  "Sanctuary  Memories". 

+  Most  of  the  facts  essential  to  this  sketch  have  been  taken  from  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Pratt's 
published  "Semi- Centennial  Sermon"  of  Feb.  20,  1881. 


SKETCHES    OF    EXISTING    CHUKCHES.  75 

Feb.  16,  1831,  by  a  committee  of  Bath  Presbytery — Rev.  David 
Higgins,  Bath,  Rev.  Merit  C.  Harmon,  Big  Flats,  and  Charles 
Fry,  Big  Flats.  The  meeting  was  held  in  the  school  house  just 
below  the  Curtis  bridge,  where  Rev.  B.  B.  Smith  was  holding  revival 
meetings.  There  were  seven  charter  members,  all  received  from 
the  Painted  Post  (Corning)  Church — Joseph  and  Abigail  Stevens, 
Mrs.  Rhoda  Nute,  Mrs.  Hannah  Campbell,  Jared  Stevens,  Jonas 
Stevens,  and  Mrs.  Eliza  Stevens.  For  about  30  years,  when  not 
grouped  with  some  other  church,  this  church  received  aid  from  the 
A.  H.  M.  Society,  but  since  that  time  has  given  to  Home  Missions 
over  $3,000.  In  1831,  28  were  added,  21  in  1840,  29  in  1860, 
18  in  1866,  and  30  in  1879,  the  largest  increase  in  its  history  being 
under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  S.  W.  Pratt.  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was 
organized  Jan.  6,  1889,  out  of  a  Young  People's  Society  organized 
in  1877. 

The  church  was  enrolled  in  Bath  Presbytery  June  21,  1831,  set 
off  into  Chemung  Presbytery  in  1836,  and  into  Steuben  Presbytery 
in  1862.  Campbell  has  entertained  the  following  stated  meetings 
of  presbyteries:  Bath — 1835;  Chemung — 1840,  1845,  and  1855; 
and  Steiiben^lSm,  1868,  1874,  1879,  1884,  and  1889.  The  follow- 
ing commissioners  to  General  Assembly  have  been  selected  from 
Campbell:  Rev.  B.  Booster  Pratt,  and  Benjamin  Stevens,  Cleveland, 
1857;  Charles  A.  Knox,  Chicago,  1871,  and  Pittsburg,  1878;  Rev. 
Samuel  W.  Pratt,  Springfield,  1882;  Amasa  B.  White,  Philadelphia, 
1888;  and  Rev.  Geo.  R.  Smith,  Detroit,  1891. 

The  first  church,  built  on  a  part  of  what  is  now  the  cemetery, 
cost  1850.  It  was  dedicated  Nov.  5,  1833*.  In  1860  it  was  remov- 
ed to  the  site  of  the  present  church  and  in  1867  sold  to  the  Meth- 
odists who  removed  it.  Feb.  4,  1868,  the  present  edifice  was  dedi- 
cated. Rev.  S.  M.  Campbell,  D.  D.,  a  son  of  the  church,  preaching 
a  sermon,  "  Sanctuary  Memories",  which  was  published.  The 
manse  was  built  on  the  church  lot  in  1868.  It  cost  $1,800  and  in 
1877  was  enlarged.  On  Feb.  20,  1881,  the  50th  anniversary  of  the 
church  was  celebrated.  This  church  owes  much  of  its  later  pros- 
perity to  John  D.  Hamilton,  who  superintended  its  Sunday  School 
from  1864  until  his  death  in  1891. 

The  following  have  been  the  elders:  Jared  Stevens,  1831-9;  Geo. 
Teeple,  1831-75;  Aden  J.  Pratt,  1831-65;  Benjamin  Stevens,  1839- 

*"The  bare  floors  scrubbed  so  white  we  almost  feared  to  step  on  them;  and  the  pews  with- 
out cushions  to  be  sure  but  each  furnished  with  a  good  stout  door,  with  a  wooden  button  to 
fasten  it.  Around  on  the  clean  whitewashed  walls  hung  a  row  of  tin  sconces  to  hold  the 
candle  of  an  evening  and  catch  the  drip;  on  each  side  the  minister's  place  was  a  great  wood 
stove  with  a  roaring  fire,  the  pipes  passing  over  the  beads  of  the  people  to  keep  their  feet 
warm;  and  the  pulpit,  with  its  lofty  flight  of  steps  going  up  to  it  on  either  side,  the  big  bar- 
rel front  it  bore,  and  above  all  the  green  baize  Bible  cushion  on  it,  set  around  with  bright 
brass  nails"!— Rev.  Samuel  M.  Campbell,  D.  D.,  in  "Sanctuary  Memories". 


76  SKETCHES    Oif    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

79;  Charles  A.  Knox,  1864-94;  George  Stevens,  1864-97;  Amasa 
B.  White,  1869-97;  Halsey  W.  Clark,  1884-5;  Thomas  A.  Saw- 
yer, 1887-97;  and  Josiah  T.  Burroughs,  1894-7. 

The  following  have  ministered  to  this  church:  Benjamin  B. 
Smith,  1831-2;  Calvin  Bushnell,  1833-4;  Charles  Goodrich  (half 
time  at  Mead's  Creek),  1835;  James  W.  Hotchkin,  1836-8;  John 
Gray*  (Mead's  Creek  also),  1839-40;  Noah  Cressy  (half  time  at 
Jasper),  1840-1;  Elijah  D.  Wells,  1841-2;  Lewis  Hamilton, 
1842-3;  Ebenezer  Everett,  1844-5;  Lewis  Hamilton,  P.,  1845-9; 
William  B.  Stowe,  1849;  John  Sailor,  1850;  B.  Foster  Pratt,  1850- 
60;  E.  M.  Johnson  (of  Painted  Post,  preaching  afternoons),  1860-1; 
Archibald  Crawford  (Auburn  student),  1861;  William  A.  Wolcott, 
1861-3;  Octavius  Fitch,  1863-4;  A.  S.  Wood  (Auburn  student) 
1864;  Fordyce  Harrington,  1864-8;  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D.,  1868- 
72;  Theodore  B.  Williams,  1872-5;  Clark  B.  Gillette,  1875-6; 
Samuel  W.  Pratt,  1877-83;  Charles  M.  Livingstone,  1883-5;  George 
R.  Smith,  1886-92;  and  Edgar  P.  Salmon,  P.,  1892  to  the  present 
time. 


THE  HAMMONDSPORT  CHURCH  (1831-1897). 
Thef  first  settler  of  Urbana,  William  AuUs,  who  came  to  Pleasant 
Vallev  in  1793,  was  a  member  of  a  Presbyterian  church,  and  in  1808 
became  a  charter  member  of  the  Bath  Presbyterian  Church.  The 
Sunday  School  of  the  Hammondsport  Church  was  established  in 
1826,  and  for  some  time  before  the  society  was  organized  regular 
prayer  meetings  were  held.  July  1,  1831,  Rev.  Isaac  Flagler  began 
his  work;  July  25,  1831,  a  religious  society  was  organized  in  accord- 
ance with  State  laws;  and  Sept,  14,  1831 1,  the  society  was  constitu- 
ted a  Presbyterian  Church  by  a  committee  of  Bath  Presbytery — 
Rev,  Isaac  W,  Piatt,  Bath,  Rev,  Samuel  White,  Pulteney,  Elam 
Bridges,  Prattsburg,  and  Jacob  Bachman,  Pulteney,  Eight  mem- 
bers were  received — all  from  other  churches:  Samuel  A.  Hastings, 
Lemuel  D.  Hastings,  Lucinda  Daniels,  Eliza  C.  Flagler,  Augustus 
Moody,  Thomas  Judd,  Thomas  White,  and  Stephen  K,  Tourtelot. 
The  church  has  been  favored  with  many  revivals — one  especially  in 
the  spring  of  1884,  when  Rev,  E,  P.  Hammond  assisted,  and  72 
were  added  in  one  day. 


poor  1 

ter.    Pausing  i , 

wake  up  Brother  B?'  '  — Dr.  S.  M.  Campbell  in  "Sanctuary  Memories" 

t  For  this  sketch  many  facts  hare  been  taken  from  Rev.  Byron  Bosworth's  published 
•Serai-Centennial  Sermon"  of  Sept.  10, 1^82. 
f'This  period  when  so  many  of  our  churches  were  organized  was  one  of  wide-spread  relig- 
ious interest.    It  was  in  the  year  1831  that  the  most  extraordinary  displays  of  the  power  and 
grace  of  God,  in  reviving  His  work  and  converting  souls  in  Western  .Sew  York,  were  exhib- 
ited".—Hotchkin,  "Western  New  York",  p.  140. 


1 

J 

U 

xJlJj  xJB!  '>•'_ 

M 

wm 

Ml 

^s 

^'<^ 

^^m 

m 

m 

THE  PRATTSBURG  CHURCH. 


THE  BATH  CHURCH. 


THE  CORNING  CHURCH. 


THE  ANGELICA  CHURCH. 


THE  HOWARD  CHURCH. 


THE  PULTENEY  CHURCH. 


SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING  CHURCHES.  77 

While  William  Hastings,  who  built  the  first  store  in  town,  was  on 
a  business  trip  to  New  York,  he  heard  at  Geneva  Charles  G.  Fin- 
ney and  was  converted.  He  built  the  first  edifice  at  a  cost  of  $800 
on  land  given  by  Judge  Hammond,  and  in  1831  presented  it  to  the 
congregation.  A  new  edifice  was  dedicated  in  1847.  It  cost  about 
$4,000  and  $5,000  have  since  been  expended  on  it.  The  manse  was 
purchased  in  1849.  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  organized  in  1887. 
Three  have  gone  into  the  ministry — Frederick  H.  Brewster,  a  mis- 
sionary to  China,  Benjamin  Russell,  and  C.  W.  AVinnie. 

The  following  have  served  as  elders:  Samuel  A.  Hastings,  1831-5; 
Nehemiah  D.  Stebbins,  1831-5;  William  Brewster,  1832-5;  Lemuel 
D.  Hastings,  1835-91;  Elijah  Judd,  1835-7;  Solomon  Clark,  1837. 

89;  Augustus   Moody,    1837-56;  Matthias   Clark,   1841 ;  Aaron 

Rosenkrans,  1841-80;  J.  W.  McLaury,  1865-9;  Allen  G.  Dunning, 

1865-8;  George  W.   Nichols,   1877-84;  M.  H.  Dildine,  1877 ; 

James  S.   Thorp,    1877 ;    Lafayette  Moore,    1885-9;  Levi   N. 

Beebe,  1887-96;  Lewis  P.  Wygant,  1879-90;  John  R.  Brown,  1891-5; 

J.  W.  Brundage,  1892 ;  E.  M.  Foster,  1892 ;  H.  R.  Tal- 

MAGE,  1894 ;  Gordon  G.  Hoyt,  1897 ;  and  L.  H.  Brown, 

1897 . 

The  following  is  the  list  of  ministers:  Isaac  Flagler,  1831-3;  Wil- 
liam M.  Adams,  1833-4;  George  E.  Delevan,  1835-7;  Robert  E. 
Willson,  P.,  1838-52;  S.  Mills  Day,  P.,  1852-7;  Stephen  Vorhis*, 
1857-65;  Ova  H.  Seymour,  1865-9;  Darwin  Chichester,  1869-76; 
John  Mitchell,  1876;  C.  Townsend,  1876;  Byron  Bosworth,  1876- 
88;  Martin  E.  Grant,  1888-9;  Alfred  T.  Vail,  1889-95;  and  Charles 
L.  Luther,  1895  to  the  present  time. 

The  church  was  enrolled  in  Bath  Presbytery  Jan.  31,  1832,  and 
in  1862  came  into  Steuben  Presbytery.  It  has  had  the  following 
stated  meetings  of  presbyteries:  i?a«A— 1837,  1841,  1844,  1848,1855, 
1860,  and  1862;  Steuben— 1867 ,  1875,  1882,  and  1891.  Presbytery 
has  chosen  from  this  church  these  commissioners  to  General  Assem- 
bly: Samuel  A.  Hastings,  Philadelphia,  1834;  Rev.  George  E.  Del- 
evan, Philadelphia,  1837;  L.  D.  Hastings,  Philadelphia,  1840,  and 
1854,  and  Syracuse,  1861;  Rev.  Robert  E.  Willson,  Philadelphia, 
1843,  and  1846;  Rev.  S.  Mills  Day,  and  Augustus  Moody,  St.  Louis, 
1855;  Rev.  Stephen  Vorhis,  Wilmington,  1859,  and  Philadelphia, 
1863;  Rev.  Darwin  Chichester,  Detroit,  1872;  Rev.  Byron  Bos- 
worth, Buffalo,  1881;  Lewis  P.  W^ygant,  Springfield,  1882;  and 
Levi  N.  Beebe,  Washington.  1893;  Rev.  Robert  E.  Willson  was  sta- 
ted clerk  of  Bath  Presbytery,  1843-52;  Rev.  S.  Mills  Day,  1856-7; 
and  Rev.  Stephen  Vorhis,  1858-62,  and  of  Steuben  Presbytery, 
1862-5. 

+  "Four  young  men  from  this  congregation  lost  their  lives  in  the  service  of  their  country. 
William  Vorhis,  the  pastor's  oldest  son,  was  the  first  to  fall.  Solomon  Clark,  son  of  Matthias 
Clark,  George  K.  Benliam,  and  Daniel  S.  Layton  were  the  others",— Rev.  Byron  Bosworth. 


78  SKETCHES    OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

THE  HORNBY  CHURCH  (1831-1897). 

The  Hornby  Presbyterian  Church,  was  organized  with  30  mem- 
bers, Sept.  15,  1831,  by  a  committee  of  Bath  Presbytery  consisting 
of  Rev.  Benjamin  B.  Smith,  Rev.  David  Harrowar,  and  elders 
Gardner  and  Stevens.  The  organization  was  the  result  of  a  revival 
of  religion  in  the  town.  Before  this  time  a  few  individuals  had 
been  members  of  the  Painted  Post  (Corning)  Church.  The  first 
supply  was  Rev,  Benjamin  B;  Smith.  Other  supplies  have  been— 
Rev.  Daniel  B.  Butts,  Rev.  Alanson  Bixby,  Rev.  George  F.  Wood, 
and  Rev.  Henry  W.  H.  Watkins.  In  all  21  ministers  have  labored 
in  this  church.     It  has  never  had  an  installed  pastor. 

Since  organization  this  church  has  received  123  members.  The 
edifice  was  erected  between  1850  and  1854.  A  union  Sunday  School 
is  held  in  the  Presbyterian  church  and  a  union  Christian  Endeavoi- 
Society  holds  its  meetings  alternately  in  the  Presbyterian  and  Bap- 
tist churches.  In  1836  the  church  was  transferred  to  Chemung 
Presbytery,  and  since  18G3  has  belonged  to  Steuben  Presbytery*. 

THE  WOODHULL  CHURCH  (1831-1897). 

Thef  present  record  book  of  the  Woodhull  Church  dates  from 
Apr.  20,  1874.  On  that  day  the  records  were  burned  in  the  burn- 
ing of  Chas.  A.  Knox's  mill — Mr.  Knox  being  clerk  of  session.  This 
loss  makes  complete  lists  of  ministers  and  elders  impossible.  From 
1862  to  1874  all  record  is  hopelessly  lost. 

The  Woodhull  Church  was  organized  Oct.  15,  1831,  by  Rev. 
Isaac  Flagler,  Hammondsport,  representing  the  Bath  Presbytery. 
Seven  were  received  by  letter  and  10  upon  examination.  Of  these 
17  Mrs.  Mary  W.  Hubbard  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  97.  The 
church  was  organized  in  a  school  house  which  once  stood  a  mile 
south  of  Hedgesville  and  there  services  were  held  several  years. 
They  were  then  removed  to  a  school  house  in  Hedgesville  and  held 
there  until  1861  when  the  edifice  was  built.  The  society  has  an  in- 
come of  $100  a  year  from  the  sale  of  a  manse  previously  owned.  No 
manse  is  needed  at  present  as  the  church  is  supplied  by  the  minister 
resident  in  Jasper.  The  church  was  enrolled  in  Bath  Presbytery 
Jan.  31,  1832,  transferred  to  Chemung  Presbytery  in  1836,  and 
became  a  part  of  Steuben  Presbytery  in  1862. 

The  relationship  between  this  church  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  Hedgesville  is  unique.  The  land  occupied  by  the  edifice 
was  given  by  George  and  Nathan  Perry,  Presbyterians,  to  both  or- 

"♦Organized  as  a  Congregational  Church  Nov.  30, 1897. 

tNearly  everything  essential  in  this  sketch  was  furnished  by  Rev.  Albert  R.  Crawford. 
What  has  been  ascertained  of  the  time  before  1874  is  due  to  the  effort  of  Mr.  Crawford  and 
to  the  discovery  by  Chauncey  G.  Hubbard,  M.  D.,  of  Hornellsville,  of  an  old  record  book. 


SKETCHES   OP    EXISTING   CHURCHES.  79 

gaiiizations.  One-half  the  cost  of  the  building  was  met  by  each 
church  and  ever  since  the  church  was  erected  each  body  has  held 
an  undivided  one-half  interest  in  the  property.  Each  church 
has  its  own  board  of  trustees,  treasurer,  clerk,  and  pastor.  One 
Sabbath  the  church  is  Methodist,  the  next  Presbyterian — each 
church  met;ting  one-half  of  the  running  expenses.  One  year  the 
Sunday  School  is  Methodist,  the  next  Presbyterian.  The  prayer 
meeting  and  the  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  are  union.  During  36  years  this 
plan  has  been  carried  out  Avithout  friction.  This  is  the  only  church 
edifice  in  Hedgesville.  Rev.  Albert  W.  Hubbard,  a  missionary  since 
1873  at  Sivas,  Turkey,  is  a  son  of  Chauncey  P.  Hubbard,  an  elder 
of  this  church.  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Hedges,  Henrietta,  Texas,  went 
out  from  the  WoodhuU  Church. 

The  following  are  known  to  have  officiated  as  elders,  with  dates 
when  ascertained:  Allen  Sheldon,  and  Franklin  B.  Hubbard,  or- 
dained Oct.  15,  1831;  William  Lockwood,  ordained  Nov.  18,  1832; 
Jeifrey  Smith,  appears  on  records  Jan.  5,  1838,  resigned  Feb.  5, 
1859;  Thomas  Hedges,  elected  June  20,  1846;  Nelson  Perry,  elected 
Feb.  5,  1859;  Stephen  Gloyd,  ordained  May  29,  1859;  Chauncey 
P.  Hubbard,  elected  during  1865,  and  Charles  A.  Knox,  appear  in 
the  records  Apr.  20,  1874;  Samuel  H.  Ferris,  ordained  Aug.  23, 
1878;  John  H.  Teeter,  ordained  Aug.  31,  1879;  H.  S.  Teeter,  ap- 
pears in  records  during  1883.  Josiah  W.  Owens,  ordained  May 
31,  1885;  Nathan  R.  Perry,  ordained  Sept.  5,  1886;  and  Frank- 
lin H.  Little,  ordained  June  18,  1893. 

Tlie  following  is  the  list  of  ministers  so  far  as  can  be  ascertained: 
Jeremiah  L.  Pomeroy,    1831-3;  Oren  Johnson,  1833-6;  Noah  Cres- 

sy,  1839-41;  Benjamin    Welles;  George    T.    Everest,   1857-8;  

Miles;  Samuel  A.  Rawson,  1859-67;  Alexander  Gulick;  James  W. 
Boals,  a  licentiate;  D.  S.  Morse;  Baldwin;  Albert  W.  Hub- 
bard, 1872-3;  John  E.  Beecher,  1873-6;  Arthur  N.  Bruen,  1876-9; 
John  L.  Jenkins,  1879-83;  Minor  Swick,  1884-9;  Edwin  H.  Bur- 
gess, 1889-91;  Charles  W.  Maccarthy,  1892-5;  and  Albert  R.  Craw- 
ford, Mar.  1,  1896,  to  the  present  time.  The  Woodbull  Church 
has  never  had  an  installed  pastor. 


THE  BELMONT  CHURCH  (1832-1897). 

The*  first  Presbyterian   Church  of  Amity  was  organized  Jan.  30, 

1832,  by  Rev.  Moses  Hunter,  of  Angelica,  with  Ellis  May,  Lucius 

C.  May,  Harvey  May,  John  S.  Norton,   Jeriah  Whitcomb,   Aaron 

May,  William  Whitcomb,  and  John  May,  with  8  others,  as  charter 

*Rev.  Herbert  W.  Knox  furnished  factg  essential  to  this  sketch. 


80  SKETCHES  OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

members.  It  was  enrolled  in  Angelica  Presbytery  at  a  meeting  in 
Almond  Feb.  38,  1832,  Ellis  May  appearing  as  elder.  The  village 
within  the  town  of  Amity  now  called  Belmont  earlier  bore  the  name 
of  Philipsville,  or  Philipsburg,  so  that  the  church  is  described  in 
the  records  under  the  four  names — Amity,  Philipsville,  Philipsburg, 
and  Belmont.  The  first  trustees  were  John  S.  Norton,  Samuel 
VanCampen,  and  Ellis  May.  For  9  years  services  were  held  in  the 
school  house  which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  surrogate's  office. 
Aug.  20,  1841,  for  $100,  Ellis  May  conveyed  to  Jeriah  Whitcomb, 
James  Spaulding,  and  John  M.  May,  as  trustees  of  "The  First 
Presbyterian  Congregation  in  Amity",  ground  upon  which  a  church 
already  was  built.  This  edifice,  dedicated  June  24,  1841,  altered, 
improved,  and  added  to,  still  stands.  From  Sept.  30,  1854,  to 
August,  1866,  the  church  was  Congregational  in  government.  Du- 
ring 1891  Mrs.  Julia  Langdon  Barber  gave  to  the  congregation  a 
manse. 

It  is  not  possible  to  gire  a  complete  list  of  ministers,  or  dates  in 
all  instances  for  those  whose  names  are  known.  The  first  min- 
ister was  Rev.  Jabez  Spicer,  M.  D.,  who  preached  on  alternate 
Sundays  for  a  little  more  than  a  year,  beginning  in  September,  1832. 
Dr.  Spicer  lived  in  Andover  and  preached  there  the  other  Sunday. 
From  1833  to  1835  Rev.  Samuel  W.  May  preached  for  this  church, 
living  in  Belmont  and  supplying  also  Angelica,  and  Cuba.  Between 
1835  and  1854  at  least  five  ministers  supplied — Rev.  0.  S.  Powell, 
Rev.  Benjamin  Russell,  who  was  the  minister  when  the  church 
was  built.  Rev.  Edward  Reynolds,  Rev.  Nathaniel  Hammond,  who 
was  the  minister  in  1848,  and  Rev.  G.  L.  Hall.  During  1860-1 
Rev.  Allen  Traver  was  the  minister.  Rev.  J.  S.  Bingham  was  the 
minister  from  1866  to  1871.  In  December,  1870,  Rev.  Nathaniel 
Elmer  took  charge,  and  Rev.  Joel  S.  Kelsey  ministered  from  June 
1,  1876,  to  Feb.  2,  1882.  During  the  summer  of  1883  Rev.  Frank 
P.  Oilman,  now  a  Presbyterian  missionary  in  Hainan,  China,  sup- 
plied. There  were  no  services  from  then  until  1888,  when  through 
the  efforts  of  Rev.  W.  B.  Lucas,  D.  D.,  synodical  superintendent, 
the  church  was  opened  again  with  Rev.  James  B.  Rodgers  as  minis- 
ter. Mr.  Rodgers  after  a  year  went  as  a  Presbyterian  missionary  to 
Brazil,  where  he  still  labors.  Rev.  Joseph  G.  Snyder  was  installed 
pastor  Oct.  30,  1889,  and  released  Nov.  7,  1892.  From  1892  until 
1896  Rev.  D.  Albert  Blose  was  the  stated  supply.  Rev.  Herbert  W. 
Knox,  the  present  pastor,  was  ordained  and  installed  May  11,  1896. 

In  the  following  incomplete  list  of  elders  the  year  of  ordination  is 
given  where  known:  Ellis  May,  1832  :  John  S.  Norton,  1832;  T.  F. 
May;  J.  Whitcomb;  F.    Norton;  J.    S.   Mandeville;  Charles  Davis; 


THE  CAMPBELL  CHURCH. 


THE  CUBA  CHURCH. 


THE  HORNELLSVILLE  FIRST  CHURCH. 


THE  ADDISON  CHURCH. 


SKETCHES    OF    EXISTING  CHURCHES.  81 

John  B.  Norton,  1866:  W.  Hatch,  1866;  Henry  Sortore,  1866; 
Miles  E.  Davis,  1866;  George  W.  Green,  1866;  Joseph  Jadwin, 
1879;  George  Sortore,  1879;  Robert  O'Brien,  1889;  William  B. 
Kurtz,  1889;  William  J.  Hardy,  M.  D.,  1891;  Charles  H. 
Norton,  1893;  and  Charles  E.  Clark,  1897. 

From  1833  to  1859  Belmont  Church  belonged  to  Angelica  Presby- 
tery: in  1861  it  was  enrolled  in  Genesee  Valley  Presbytery,  and  in 
1886  came  into  Steuben  Presbytery.  The  following  stated  meetings 
of  presbytery  have  been  held  with  this  church:  Angelica— 1833, 
1839,  1849,  and  1852;  Genesee  Valley— 18^2,  1866,  1877,  and 
1884;  and  Steuben— IS'dl .  The  following  commissioners  to  Gene- 
ral Assembly  have  been  chosen  from  the  Belmont  Church:  Rev. 
Samuel  W.  May,  Philadelphia,  1834;  Lucius  C.  May,  Buffalo,  1853; 
Miles  E.  Davis,  Pittsburg,  1878;  and  Rev.  Joel  S.  Kelsey,  Spring- 
field, 1883. 


THE  HORNELLSVILLE  FIRST  CHURCH  (1833-1897). 

Hornellsville  at  first  was  within  the  Almond  parish  and  as  such 
under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard  who  lived  at  An- 
gelica from  1813  to  1836  and  was  pastor  of  the  Almond  and  An- 
gelica churches.  Rev.  George  Hornell  established  a  Sunday  School 
in  1830  which  was  short  lived.  From  1833  to  1839  there  was  a 
Sunday  School  during  the  summer  months.  In  1839  Chauncey  B. 
Smith  became  superintendent  and  as  a  union  school  it  lasted  sum- 
mer and  winter  until  the  organization  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
Mr.  Smith  then  became  superintendent  of  the  Presbyterian  Sunday 
School  and  so  remained  until  1841. 

In  June,  1833,  Rev.  Moses  Ordway  came  to  Hornellsville  and  on 
July  1st  began  to  hold  daily  religious  services  in  Ira  Davenport's 
barn.  Rev.  Robert  Hubbard  assisted  part  of  the  week.  At  a  meet- 
ing held  on  T'uesday,  July  10,  1833,  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Hornellsville  was  organized  by  Rev.  Moses  Ordway,  and  Rev. 
Moses  Hunter  of  Angelica  who  was  present.  Twelve  were  received 
by  letter  and  16  upon  confession  of  faith. 

The  following  are  the  ministers  who  have  served  here:  Moses 
Ordway,  July  10,  1833,  to  Sept.  1,  1833;  George  P.  King,  Sept., 
1833,  to  Sept.,  1833;  Moses  Hunter  (pastor  at  Almond),  Mar.,  1834, 
to  1835;  vacant.  Mar.,  1835,  to  Oct.,  1837;  Benjamin  Russell,  Oct., 
1837,  to  Oct.,  1838  (Burns  every  other  Sunday);  Samuel  W.  May, 
awhile  in  1839;  John  W.  Hopkins,  P.,  1839,  to  his  death  Feb.  4, 


83  SKEtOilEI^  OF'^lHJil^TiNG*    CHtrRCHES, 

1841;  Charles  B.  Smith*,  Mar.,  1841,  to  Mar.,  1842;  Elias  S.  Peck, 
Mar.,  1843,  to  Mar.,  1843;  Thomas  M.  Hodgman,  Apr.,  1843,  to 
Apr.,  1845  (Burns  half  time);  Foster  Lilly,  Oct.,  1845,  to  1848; 
vacant  one  year;  Horatio  Pattengill,  D.  D.,  P.,  June  10,  1849,  to 
Sept.  1,  1857;  F.  W.  Graves,  Sept.,  1857,  to  Sept.,  1858;  Ira  O. 
DeLong,  Mar.,  1859,  to  Oct.,  1860;  Milton  Waldo,  D.  D.,  P.,  Feb., 
1861,  to  Oct.,  1871;  William  A.  Niles,  D.  D.,  P.,  April,  1872,  to 
Apr.  17,  1889;  Edward  M.  Deems,  Ph.  D.,  P.,  May  9,  1890,  to  the 
present  time.  Until  Dr.  Waldo's  days,  it  was  the  aim  to  pay  $600 
salary,  and  part  of  this  generally  came  from  the  American  Home 
Missionary  Society.  Before  Dr.  Waldo's  ministry  closed,  the  salary 
was  $1000,  and  in  1872  Dr.  Niles  was  given  $2300.  In  1879,  during 
a  period  of  financial  depression,  the  salary  was  reduced  by  mutual 
consent  to  $2,000  and  the  manse. 

The  first  church  edifice,  a  part  of  the  present  building,  was 
erected  in  1834  at  a  cost  of  about  $3,000f .  The  ground  was  pre- 
sented by  Dugald  Cameron.  The  dedicatory  sermon  was  by  Kev. 
Isaac  W.  Piatt,  of  Bath.  This  building  was  enlarged  in  1862,  again 
in  1871,  and  still  again  in  1875.  The  lecture  room  was  enlarged  in 
1877  to  provide  a  church  parlor  and  a  study  for  the  pastor.  During 
Dr.  Pattengill's  ministry  a  house  and  lot  were  purchased  for  a  manse. 
In  1862  this  property  was  sold  and  the  proceeds  devoted  to  church 
improvement.  In  1873  the  present  manse  property  was  purchased 
for  $5,750.     The  organ  was  purchased  in  1871. 

At  the  semi-centennial  anniversary  July  10,  1882,  Dr.  A'iles  re- 
ported that  859  had  been  received  into  membership.  There  were 
large  accessions  in  1839,  1866,  1870,  1874,  1877,  1884,  1886,  and 
1893.  Evangelists  who  have  held  special  meetings  are  Rev.  E,  P. 
Hammond,  Rev.  H.  H.  Wells,  D.  D.,  Rev.  A.  P.  Graves,  D.  D., 
and   Rev.   L.    \V.  Munhall,  D.  D.     May  6,  1877,   68  were  received, 

**•  He  was  somewhat  ecceutrie,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  following  incident  which  occurreU 
during  his  stay  here,  lie  was  preaching  one  Sabbatli  in  tlie  wniter,  and  the  stoves  were 
located  on  either  side  of  the  pulpit.  Elder  (J.  B.  Smith  officiated  as  sexton  and  had  the 
stoves  in  charge,  and  was  endeavoring  to  make  those  in  the  back  part  of  the  house  as  com- 
fortable as  possible,  and  to  that  end  kept  frequently  replenishing  the  stove.s.  It  soon  be- 
came rather  warm  for  the  preacher,  and  he  said,  '  Brother  Smith,  1  wish  you  would  let  the 
Are  go  down  in  the  stoves;  it  is  very  warm  here'.  Elder  Smith  waited  for  awhile  and  then 
again  replenished  the  stoves,  and  was  again  admonished  from  tlie  pulpit  that  it  was  already 
much  too  warm.  Tlie  sexton  now  waited  until  he  was  sure  those  seated  in  the  back  part  of 
the  house  were  suffering,  when  he  ventured  to  supply  a  little  more  fuel.  Our  minister  sud- 
denly stopped  in  the  midst  of  an  earnest  discourse,  and  assuming  the  attitude  of  prayer 
said,  '  O  i^ord,  I  believe  the  devil  has  got  into  Bro  Smith;  he  keeps  filiiiig  the  stove  with 
wood  wlien  it  is  so  hot  I  can  hardly  stand  it'.  I  do  not  recollect  that  he  added  Amen,  but 
(Jhauucey  did  not  add  any  more  fuel  during  that  service".  — Mo  wry  Thacher  in  "  Semi-Cen- 
tennial  Anniversary  of  the  Hornellsville  Church". 

f  When  this  church  was  erected  it  was  the  custom  at  •  raisings'  to  furnish  whiskey  for 
the  refreshment  of  the  company.  It  had  been  determined  that  no  whiskey  should  be  pro- 
vided at  the  raising  of  this  chun-h  building.  The  liquor  interest  was  aroused  and  declared 
that  there  would  be  no  help  sutHcient  to  raise  the  building  if  whiskey  was  not  provided,  but 
on  the  day  appointed  the  temperance  people  rallied  and  the  building  was  raised,  to  the 
.great  annoyance  of  the  enemies  of  temperance" — Kev.  William  A.  Niles,  D.  D.  "  The  audi- 
ence room  and  gallery  were  lighted  by  tallow  candles,  these  were  put  in  small  tin  candle- 
.  sticks  upon  an  iron  rod  some  two  feet  higher  than  the  pews" — Mowry  Thacher. 


SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING  CHURCHES.  83 

and  Mar.  1,  1874,  42.  Daring  1893,  90  were  received  and  the 
average  annual  accession  is  now  over  40.  Tiie  membership  is  the 
largest  in  Steuben  Presbytery. 

The  church  was  enrolled  in  Bath  Presbytery  Aug.  26,  1834.  It 
became  a  part  of  Steuben  Presbytery  in  1862.  In  May,  1864,  it 
was  transferred  by  General  Assembly  to  Genesee  Valley  Presbytery. 
By  the  Act  of  Re-union  it  became  in  1870  again  a  part  of  Steuben 
Presbytery. 

The  elders  have  been  as  follows,  with  the  date  of  their  installa- 
tion: Ezekiel  S.  Drew,  Ohauncey  B.  Smith,  and  Mowry  Thacher, 
Jan.  1833;  Elisha  Wilber,  July  5,  1834;  Prentice  Field,  Mar.  22, 
1844;  John  J.  Sharp,  Sept.  2,  1849;  John  Burden,  Sept.  2,  1854; 
Ebenezer  Van  Tuyl,  Nathan  Piatt,  and  Nelson  C.  Lockwood,  Sept., 
1865;  T.  Scott  Thacher,  Apr.  16,  1876;  Chauncet  G.  Hubbard, 
M.  D.,  Mar.  24,  1889;  George  W.  Seymour,  Mar.  24,  1889; 
Charles  H.  Norton,  Aug.  31,  1893;  Frank  M.  Tracy,  Sep.  6. 
1896;  Alexander  Davidson,  and  George  H.  Miller,  Jan.  14, 
1894;  Charles  R.  Carson,  Sep.  6,  1896;  and  Fred  G.  Chapman, 
Apr.  6,  1897.  The  following  stated  presbytery  meetings  have  been 
held  in  Hornellsville:  Bath,  1836,  1844, 1847,  1854,  1859,  and  1862; 
Genesee  Valley,  1865;  Steuben,  1871,  1881,  1887,  and  1893.  Rev. 
Horatio  Pattengill,  D.  D.,  was  stated  clerk  of  Bath  Presbytery  in 
1857,  and  Rev.  Wm.  A.  Niles,  D.  D.,  of  Steuben  Presbytery,  from 
1884  to  1889.  Hornellsville  has  had  the  following  commissioners  to 
General  Assembly:  Rev.  Horatio  Pattengill,  D.  D.,  Philadelphia* 
1854;  Rev.  Milton  Waldo,  D.  D.,  Dayton,  1864;  Mowry  Thacher, 
New  York,  1869;  Rev.  William  A.  Niles,  D.  D.,  Pittsburg,  1878, 
and  Philadelphia,  1888;  Chauncey  G.  Hubbard,  M.  D.,  New  York, 
1889;  and  Rev.  Edward  M.  Deems,  Ph.  D.,  Winona  Assembly,  1897. 


THE  ADDISON  CHURCH  (1832-1897).  - 
This  church*  was  organized  in  September,  1832,  by  a  committee 
of  Bath  Presbytery — Rev.  Elijah  D.  Wells,  Rev.  Asa  Donalson, 
and  Johnson  Butts.  It  was  enrolled  in  Bath  Presbytery  Jan.  30, 
1833,  transferred  to  Chemung  Presbytery  in  1836,  and  to  Steuben 
Presbytery  in  1862.  There  were  eight  charter  members.  The 
church  was  without  preaching  till  the  autumn  of  1835,  when  Rev. 
D.  B.  Butts,  of  Erwin  Center,  held  services  fortnightly  in  the  school 
house  on  Goodhue  street.  He  came  to  Addison  to  reside  in  1836. 
About  700  members  have  been  added  to  this  church  in  all.     The 

*Most  of  the  informatioD  essential  to  this  sketch  was  farhished  by  RevI  tianiel  Mackay. 


g4  SKETCHES  OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

winters  of  1866,  1876,  and  1889,  and  the  autumn  of  1895  were 
times  of  large  ingathering.  At  least  two  members  of  this  church 
have  entered  the  ministry— George  A.  Woodhull  and  George  Wells. 
The  first  church  home — the  first  house  of  worship  in  Addison — 
was  built  on  a  plot  of  ground  donated  by  Mi-.  AV.  Smith,  now  the 
corner  of  Church  and  Maple  Streets.  It  cost  about  |l,''i50.  In  1851 
this  house  was  enlarged  and  reseated  and  in  1872  and  a  chapel  built 
and  joined  to  it.  This  building  was  burned  in  1881.  The  present 
edifice,  costing  about  $12,000,  was  dedicated  in  1882  free  of  debt. 
The  building  committee  was  Charles  W.  Gillet,  James  Baldwin,  A- 
G.  Crane,  and  George  W.  Farnham.  In  1862  the  first  manse  was 
built  on  Maple  Street.  In  1894  this  was  removed  that  the  present 
handsome  manse  on  the  same  site  might  be  built.  Including  the 
lot  this  cost  about  $4,000.  At  the  organization  the  congregation 
could  pay  but  $400,  and  for  many  years  not  over  $600,  toward  the 
pastor's  salary.  This  was  supplemented  by  $100  from  the  Home 
Mission  Fund.  The  salary  is  now  $1,100  and  the  manse.  Joel  D. 
Gillet  has  given  to  the  church  an  endowment  of  $5,000,  the  interest 
of  which  is  to  be  divided  between  the  session,  trustees,  and  the  Y. 
M.  C.  A.  for  religious  work.  The  Sunday  School  was  organized  in 
1836.  and  the  Y.  P.  S.  C  E.  in  1889. 

The  following  ministers  have  served  the  church:  Daniel  B.  Butts, 
1835-9;  Lewis  Hamilton,  P.,  1840-2;  Darius  Williams,  1843-5;  A. 
H.  Parmelee,  P.,  1846-55;  William  Kidder,  1855-6;  David  F.  Jud- 
son,  P.,  1857-63;  S.  S.  Sturgess,  1864-5;  David  F.  Judson,  1866-7; 
William  J.  Parrott,  1867-70;  Charles  Simpson,  1870-2;  John  V.  C. 
Nellis,  Ph.  D.,  1873-4;  Alphonzo  K.  OIney,  D.  D.,  1875-81;  Wil- 
liam H.  Rice,  1882-90;  and  Daniel  Mackay,  1891  to  the  present 
time. 

The  life  system  of  eldership  is  used — though  for  a  few  years  the 
rotarv  system  was  followed.  The  following  were  ordained  elders  in 
the  years  named:  1832,  Porter  Pheli^s,  and  Elihu  Whittenhall; 
1836,  Joel  D.  Gillet,  J.  P.  Shumway,  and  C,  Cowley;  1840, 
William  Tarbell,  and  William  McDowell;  1845,  B  Blakeslee;  1857, 
E.  Van  Tuyl  and  Seth  Mullen;  1866,  J.  I.  Clark;  1872,  David  B. 
WiNTON  and  Martin  Wilber;  1882,  George  W.  Farmham;  1885, 
Eben  S.  Chatfield;  1887,  Lee  R.  Webb;  1895,  Jonathan  D. 
Price,  and  Charles  E.  Noble.  Joel  D.  Gillet  was  clerk  of  ses- 
sion from  1836  to  1896,  when  he  retired  and  D.  B.  Winton  suc- 
ceeded. 

Commissioners  to  General  Assembly  have  been  chosen  from  Ad- 
dison as  follows:  Porter  Phelps,  Pittsburg,  1835;  Rev.  D.  B. 
Butts,  Philadelphia,  1839;  Rev.  A.  H.  Parmelee,  Washington,  1852; 
Joel  D.  Gillet,  Washington,  1852;  Rev.  David  F.  Judson,  Roches- 
ter, 1867;  Rev.  A.  R.  Olney,  D.  D.,  Chicago,  1877;  and  William 
H.'rIcc,  Minneapolis,  1886.  It  has  had  the  following  stated  pres- 
bytery meetings:  Chemung— 1838,  1844,  1850,  1854,  and  1859; 
Steuben -18Q5,  1873,  1883,  'l889,  and  1893. 


'''^... . 


THE  PAINTED  POST  CHURCH. 


THE  CANISTEO  CHURCH. 


THE  AVOCA  CHURCH. 


THE  HORNELLSVILLE  HARTSHORN  CHURCH.  THE  ATLANTA  CHURCH. 


SKETCHES   OP    EXISTING    CHUECHES.  85 

THE  PAINTED  POST  CHURCH  (1841-1897). 

Four*  Presbyterian  churches  in  Steuben  county  have  borne  the 
name  of  Painted  Post.  The  present  Corning  Church  was  originally 
the  Painted  Post  First  Churcli.  When  the  name  of  that  church  was 
changed  to  Corning  a  second  church  within  the  present  Corning 
was  enrolled  for  a  few  years  as  the  Painted  Post  First  Church.  A 
churcli  within  the  present  Caton  was  called  the  Painted  Post  Second 
Church.  The  present  church  was  enrolled  as  the  Painted  Post  Vil- 
lage Church.  When  this  church  was  organized  there  was  another 
Presbyterian  church  in  the  town  of  Erwin — in  the  south  part — the 
Erwin  Church.  The  society  was  legally  constituted  and  an  edifice 
built  before  the  church  was  organized.  At  a  meeting  held  in  the 
school  house  June  2o,  1839,  "The  First  Presbyterian  Society  in  the 
Village  of  Painted  Post  in  the  town  of  Erwin"  was  formed  and  the 
following  trustees  elected:  Holly  Seely,  Wm.  J.  Gilbert,  Lewis  B. 
Warner,  John  Kennard,  Willis  J.  Savory,  Arnold  D.  Patterson,  and 
Levi  B.  Warner.  A  church  costing  $2,000  was  erected  during  1839, 
on  a  lot  given  by  Gen.  F.  E,  Erwin.  Its  bell  was  the  first  between 
Bath  and  Elmira. 

During  1839-41  Rev.  John  Smith  supplied.  At  a  meeting  held 
in  the  church  Mar.  16,  1841,  the  Painted  Post  Church  was  organ- 
ized. Rev.  Philemon  H.  Fowler,  D.  D.,  of  Elmira,  preached  from 
Zech.  4:6,  and  moderated  the  meeting.  Rev.  Lewis  Hamilton,  of 
Addison,  offered  prayer,  and  Samuel  S.  Howe,  soon  to  be  ordained 
pastor,  acted  as  clerk.  Seventeen  persons  were  received  by  letter — 
11  from  the  Painted  Post  1st  (Corning)  Church.  Two  of  the  num- 
ber were  already  elders — Henry  H.  Mathews,  and  Holly  ^eely. 
During  1881-2  the  present  edifice  was  built  on  a  lot  given  by  Mrs. 
Eliza  E.  Townsend,  and  in  1890  a  znanse  costing  $2,500  was  erected 
for  the  society  on  the  church  lot  by  Miss  Fannie  S.  Jerome,  a  sister 
of  Mrs.  Edward  E.  Townsend.  The  value  of  the  property  in  all  is 
about  $9,000.  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  organized  in  July,  1886. 
There  is  a  Ways  and  Means  Society,  a  Ladies'  Missionary  Society, 
and  a  Young  Ladies'  Missionary  Society.  Rev.  George  D.  Miller, 
pastor  of  the  Warsaw  Presbyterian  Church,  went  out  from  this 
church. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  ministers:  Samuel  S.  Howe,  P., 
May  6,  1841-Dec.  20,  1842;  B.  Foster  Pratt,  P.,  Mar,  3,  1843-June 
30,  1849;  J.  R.  Young,  Oct.  1,  1849-Dec.  2{i,  1851;  Milton  But- 
tolph,  Apr.  30,  1852-Mar,  31,  1854;  Richard  G.  Keyes,  Sept.  30, 
1854-June  1,  1856;  Charles  C.   Carr,   P.,  Nov.   5,   1856-July  30, 

♦The  essential  particulars  of  this  sketch  were  furnished  by  Rev.  Benjamin  B.  Knapp. 


86  8EETCHES   OF  EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

1859;  Hiram  E.  Johnson.  Aug.,  1859-Mar.  4,  1864;  P.J.  Buch- 
anon,  July  1,  1864-July  1,  1865;  Joel  Wakeman,  D.  D.,  P.,  Sept. 
1,  1865-8;  P.  H.  Burghardt,  December,  1868-73;  G.  E.  H.  Shum- 
way,  September  6,  1873-clied  during  the  year;  A.  W.  Cowles,  D.  D., 
July  31,  1874-5;  Anson  G.  Chester,  D.  D.,  August,  1875-6; 
Theron  L.  Waldo,  June,  1876-June,  1880;  Frederick  Campbell, 
1881-3;  supplied  by  session,  1884-9;  Augustus  Frederick,  Novem- 
ber, 1889-Jan.  2,  1892;  James  R.  Eobinson,  Oct.  9,  1892-Oct., 
1896;  and  Benjamin  B.  Knapp,  P.  E.,  Jan.  17,  1897,  to  the  pres- 
ent time. 

The  following  have  been  installed  elders:  May  9,  1841,  Henry 
H.  Mathews  and  Sylvester  Smith;  November  17,  1842,  Holly  Seely; 
Jan.  4,  1846,  Harvey  D.  Bancroft;  June  22,  1851,  Pliny  Cobb,  and 
Charles  J.  Chatfield;  July  1,  1853,  Sidney  S.  Cook;  July  13,  1855, 
Edward  E.  Townsend,  and  Benjamin  Farewell;  July  1,  1859,  Wil- 
liam Pierce;  July  5,  1861,  Calvin  Blood;  July  1,  1864,  Clark  Bas- 
sett,  and  Francis  E.  Young;  July  6,  1868,  Uri  Scofield;  July  6, 
1870,  William  T.  Crouch;  July  13,  1871,  Bradford  Peck;  July  5, 
1879,  Edward  H.  Smith;  May  18,  1886,  Warren  S.  Hodgman 
and  George  S.  Bassett;  Apr.  24,  1894,  Alvin  Z.  Pierce,  George 
W.  HoAK,  and  Richard  W.  McCray;  and  Apr.  28,  1897,  Jeffrey 
Smith. 

The  church  was  enrolled  in  Chemung  Presbytery  April  20,  1841, 
at  a  meeting  held  in  Elmira.  In  1862  it  came  into  Steuben  Presby- 
tery. The  following  stated  meetings  of  presbytery  have  been  held 
with  this  church:  Cheinung — 1846,  1853,  and  1861;  Steuben — 
1864,  1866,  1869,  and  1880.  The  following  commissioners  to  Gen- 
eral Assembly  have  been  chosen  from  this  church:  Rev.  Charles  C. 
Carr,  and  Pliny  Cobb,  Cleveland,  1857;  Charles  J.  Chatfield,  Day- 
ton, 1864;  Benjamin  Farewell,  Harrisburg,  1868;  Rev.  Joel  Wake- 
man,  D.  D.,  New  York,  and  Pittsburg,  1869;  Warren  S.  Hodg- 
man,  Pittsburg,  1895. 

THE  ARKPORT  CHURCH  (1852-1897). 
The*  proximity  of  the  then  existing  Burns  Church,  of  the  Almond 
Church,  and  of  the  Hornellsville  First  Church,  delayed  for  years  the 
organization  of  a  church  at  Arkport.  A  Sunday  School  was  organ- 
ized in  Judge  Hurlbut's  saw  mill,  just  west  of  the  present  parson- 
age, by  Miss  Abigail  Hurlbut,  in  June,  1798,  which  was  maintained 
every  summer  from  May  to  October  until  the  church  was  organ- 
ized and  all  the  time  since.  Rev.  Moses  Hunter,  of  Almond, 
preached  in  the  evening  from  1834  to  1835.     The  edifice  came  be- 

*Many  facts  of  this  sketch  were  furnished  by  John  Hurlbut. 


SKETCHES  OF   EXISTING   CHURCHES.  87 

fore  the  formal  organization.  It  was  dedicated  Dec.  16,  1851,  hav- 
ing cost  about  11,500,  but  burned  Dec.  23,  1851,  without  insurance. 
Rev.  Benjamin  Welles  came  in  this  month.  Before  the  holidays 
were  over  a  contract  had  been  let  for  a  new  building  to  cost  $1,650. 
While  this  edifice  was  in  the  carpenter's  hands,  on  Mar.  13,  1853, 
the  church  was  organized  by  Rev.  Benjamin  Welles,  and  Rev.  Joel 
Wakeman,  D.  D.,  of  Almond.  Of  the  30  members  enrolled,  15 
were  named  Hurlbut,  and  6  Gary. 

Tlie  following  have  served  this  church  in  the  ministry:  Benja- 
min Welles,  Dec.  7,  1851-Aug.  7,  1853;  Giles  B.  Cleveland,  Oct. 
16,  1853-Sept.  9,  1855;  Erwin  W.  Allen,  Sept.  23,  1855-Apr.  17, 
1859;  John  E.  Baker,  P.,  July  19,  1859-Jan.  4,  1863;  Wm.  P.  Teits- 
worth,  May  24,  1863-Apr.  24,  1864;  Samuel  D.  W.  Westfall,  Nov. 
5,  1865-Jan.  5,  1868;  Willis  C.  Gaylord,  Apr.  9,  1871-Dec.  31, 
1871;  George  N.  Todd,  Nov.  15,  1874-Mar.  30,  1884;  Erwin  C. 
Hull,  P.,  June  30,  1885-Apr.  21,  1897;  and  Jay  Forbes  Robinson, 
July  1,  1897,  to  the  present  time. 

The  following  have  been  ordained  elders:  Mar.  13,  1852,  James 
Hurlbut  and  Johnson  Gary;  June  17,  1854,  John  J.  Sharp;  July 
4,  1858,  John  Hurlbut;  Jan  28,  1866,  Henry  B.  Loveland;  Dec. 
1,  1872,  Jarvis  P.  Case;  June  3,  1882,  Myron  Hurlbut,  and  Jo- 
seph C.  Gray;  and  May  28,  1890,  Norman  0.  Wheeler. 

The  church  was  enrolled  in  Angelica  Presbytery,  June  8,  1852. 
Feb.  16,  1859,  it  was  enrolled  in  Genesee  Valley  Presbytery,  and  in 
1870  transferred  to  Steuben  Presbytery.  Angelica  Presbytery  held 
a  stated  meeting  in  Arkport  in  1853,  Genesee  Valley  in  1868,  and 
Steuben  in  1879  and  1895.  Rev.  Erwin  G.  Hull  was  commissioner 
to  General  Assembly  at  Washington  in  1893,  and  John  Hurlbut  to 
that  of  1896  at  Saratoga. 

The  present  edifice,  dedicated  July  15,  1852,  is  valued  at  about 
$2,000.  A  manse  was  built  in  1887  costing  with  the  lot  $2,200. 
John  Hurlbut  was  elected  Sunday  School  superintendent  Jan.  1, 
1858,  and  has  been  re-elected  every  year  since.  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E. 
was  organized  Sept.  12,  1886,  and  the  Junior  Society  Oct.  29,  1893. 
The  Woman's  Missionary  Society  and  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  were 
organized  in  1852.  278  have  been  received  into  church  member- 
ship. 

THE  GANISTEO  CHURGH  (1853-1897). 
The*  Presbyterian  was  the  first  church  organized  in  Canisteo,  and 
it  was  established  only  after  the  community  had  been  settled  over 

*The  facts  essential  to  this  sketch  were  contributed  by  Rev.  Duncan  Cameron,  and  Orton 
.  O.  Laine. 


88  SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING    CHURCHES. 

60  years.  In  July,  1849,  Rev.  Horatio  Pattengill,  D.  D.,  Hor- 
uellsville,  began  preaching  occasionally,  and  regular  services  were 
instituted  in  1851.  The  society  was  organized  Mar.  20,  1852,  and 
the  church  Mar.  20,  1853,  with  the  following  members:  Stephen 
R.  Sturdevant,  Harriet  R.  Sturdevant,  Sarah  Waters,  Joseph  Asli- 
ley,  Sr.,  Henry  Acker,  Peter  Myers,  Sarah  Ann  Taylor,  and  Judith 
Thomson.  The  following  constituted  the  first  board  of  trustees: 
Thomas  J.  Magee,  William  H.  Mead,  Peter  Myers,  William  B. 
Jones,  B.  C.  Richey,  and  Nathaniel  C.  Taylor.  The  first  session 
consisted  of  Joseph  Ashley,  Sr.,  Stephen  P.  Sturdevant,  and  Peter 
Myers. 

The  ministers  have  been  the  following:  George  Spaulding,  P., 
Apr.  15,  1853-June  19,  1860;  Lewis  F.  Lame,  Oct.  15,  1860-Oct. 
15,  1873;  J.  Hallock  Brown,  Feb.  1,  1874-Dee.  20,  1878;  Daniel  J. 
Robertson,  Mar.  31,  1879-Oct.  19,  1884;  Ross  C.  Houghton,  D.  D., 
and  other  supplies,  1884-7;  and  Duncan  Cameron,  Nov.  1,  1887- 
Nov.  1,  1897. 

The  first  church  edifice  was  dedicated  Feb.  15,  1853,  at  a  cost  of 
$1,500  exclusive  of  the  ground.  It  was  enlarged  in  1877  at  a  cost 
including  the  pipe  organ  of  $4,500.  It  was  again  enlarged  in  1889 
at  a  cost  of  11,000.  The  manse  was  erected  in  1854  costing  11,000, 
enlarged  in  1888  at  a  cost  of  $800,  and  in  1892  at  a  cost  of  $600. 
The  present  value  of  the  church  property  is  $10,000. 

During  the  history  of  the  church  the  following  have  served  ag 
elders:  Joseph  Ashley,  Sr.,  Stephen  P.  Sturdevant,  Peter  Myers, 
Eli  R.  Wright,  Nathaniel  C.  Taylor,  Peter  Masten,  Leyeritt  Grang- 
er, Levi  Totten,  James  Easton,  Alonzo  Davison,  Loren  D.  B.  Rid- 
dell,  Martin  Lee  Taylor,  John  E.  McCaig,  Charles  H.  Edson,  Wil- 
liam T.  Bailey,  Frank  R.  Waldo,  Orton  0.  Laine,  Frank  H. 
Robinson,  Daniel  M.  Estee,  George  C.  Totten,  Horace  S. 
Beebe,  George  Walker,  Henry  S.  Taylor,  Mortimore  Alli- 
son, Jr.,  and  Benjamin  S.  Stephens. 

The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  organized  in  December,  1892.  The 
church  has  in  addition  Junior  Endeavor,  Ladies'  Aid  Society, 
Ladies'  Missionary  Society,  Sunday  School  with  a  large  Home  De- 
partment, Men's  Meetings,  Senior  and  Junior  divisions,  and  two 
out  preaching  stations.  Rev.  G.  W.  Easton  grew  up  in  this  con- 
gregation. Revivals  visited  the  church  in  1865,  1871,  1877,  1891, 
1894,  and  1896.  A  history  of  the  Canisteo  Church  would  be  very 
incomplete  without  special  mention  being  made  of  Nathaniel  C. 
Taylor — untiring  in  his  devotion  to  the  local  church  and  to  the  de- 
nomination. 

The  Canisteo  Church  was  enrolled  in  Bath  Presbytery  June  29, 


SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING  CHURCHES.  89 

1853,  and  in  1862  became  a  part  of  Steuben  Presbytery.  The  fol- 
lowing stated  meetings  of  presbytery  have  been  held  with  this  church: 
Bath— 1857;  Steube?i— 1864:,  1868,  1872,  1880,  and  1890.  Presby- 
tery has  chosen  the  following  commissioners  to  General  Assembly 
from  this  church:  Eev.  George  Spaulding,  Cleveland,  1857; 
Nathaniel  C.  Taylor,  Cleveland,  1857,  Wilmington,  1859,  Philadel- 
phia, 1863,  and  1870;  Rev.  Lewis  F.  Laine,  Brooklyn,  1865;  Eev. 
Daniel  J.  Eobertson,  Saratoga,  1883;  and  Rev.  Duncan  Cameron, 
Saratoga,  1894. 

The  growth  of  the  church  is  evident  from  the  following  statistics, 
taking  the  figures  of  every  fifth  year: 

MEMBERS.  BENEVOLENCE.  CONGREGATIONAL. 

1855 21      $    40  $ 

1S61 40  27  

1865 60  83  850 

18^0 6.3  68  650 

1875 85  6!)  1200 

IhSl 125  248  llsoo 

I'-S:; 120  ..  178  1.300 

18SJ1 160  625  2323 

1896 343  882  '.  2,043 


THE  CANASERAGA  CHURCH  (1872-1897). 

The*  Canaseraga  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  by  Rev. 
James  H.  Board,  Oct.  26,  1872,  and  was  enrolled  in  Steuben  Pres- 
bytery Apr.  16,  1873.  Mr.  Board  gave  half  of  his  time  to  the  Os- 
sian  Church,  six  miles  away  in  Rochester  Presbytery.  The  charter 
members  M'ere  from  the  Burns  Presbyterian  Church,  which  by  their 
withdrawal  became  extinct.  These  were  Augustus  and  Harriet 
Comstock,  Zenas  and  Comfort  Bailey,  Milo  E.  and  Jennette  Carter, 
Mrs.  Martha  Barnum,  Mrs.  Mercy  N.  Barnum,  Mrs.  Sarah  Carter, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Webb,  Mi-s.  Carrie  Payne,  Sarah  Gorham,  and  H.  E. 
Peabody.  Early  in  1893  a  revival  brought  in  many  and  the  mem- 
bership is  now  100. 

From  June,  1872,  to  the  fall  of  1874  the  services  were  held  in  the 
Baptist  Church.  From  that  time  to  the  completion  of  the  present 
edifice  the  congregation  worshipped  in  a  hall  fitted  up  by  them  in 
the  second  story  of  a  store  owned  by  John  C.  Boyd.  The  present 
church,  completed  in  1876,  was  dedicated  Jan.  18,  1877, — Rev.  W. 
A.  Niles,  D.  D.,  of  Hornellsville,  preaching  in  the  morning  and 
Rev.  James  M.  Piatt,  D.  D.,  of  Bath,  in  the  evening.  It  cost 
about  $2,000.  Early  in  1889  the  manse  was  built,  costing  about 
$1,000.  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  organized  Nov.  13,  1892.  This 
church  has  sent  into  the  ministry  Rev.  Ernest  L.  Tiffany,  M.  D., 
and  Fred  A.   Crandall  is  now  preparing.      The  elders  have  been 

*A11  the  facts  of  this  sketch  were  furnished  by  Rev.  Evan  R.  Evans,  Ph.  D. 


90  SKETCHES  OF    EXISTING    CHUKCHES. 

Zenas  Bailey,  Henry  Dore,  James  Craig,  and  Willis  H.  Barnum. 

The  following  have  ministered  to  the  church:  Kev.  James  H. 
Board,  June,  1872-Oct.  5,  1884;  Rev.  Daniel  W.  Marvin,  5  Sabbaths; 
Mr.  W.  I.  Sweet,  an  Auburn  student,  the  summer  of  1885;  Rev. 
William  C.  Brass,  May  2,  1886-Oct.  28,  1888  (at  Ossian  also);  and 
Rev,  Evan  R.  Evans,  Ph.  D.,the  present  minister,  who  took  charge 
Nov.  25,  1888.  This  church  entertained  presbytery  in  1883  and 
1894.  Rev.  Evan  R.  Evans,  Ph.  D.,  represented  presbytery  at  General 
Assembly  in  Pittsburg  in  1895. 

The  Burns  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  June  22,  1833. 
Rev.  Robert  Hubbard  preached  the  first  sermon  July  19,  1833.  Rev. 
Benjamin  Russell  was  the  first  pastor,  receiving  $175  a  year,  and  a 
similar  amount  from  the  Hornellsvillo  First  Church,  where  he 
labored  every  second  Sunday.  There  was  a  similar  arrangement 
with  Rev.  Thomas  M.  Hodgman,  Burns  paying  $200  towards  his 
salary.  The  following  is  the  list  of  ministers:  Benjamin  Russell, 
J.  G.  Haskins,  Thomas  M.  Hodgman,  Royal  Twichel,  H.  E.  Wood- 
cock, Samuel  A.  Rawson  (served  8  years),  John  E.  Baker,  and  W. 
(J.  Gaylord. 

THE  HORNELLSVILLE  HARTSHORN  CHURCH  (1891-1896). 

Owing*  to  a  canvass  made  in  what  is  now  the  first  ward  by  Misses 
Ella  Gray  and  Susie  Piatt,  and  later  by  Mrs.  Charles  Hartshorn,  a 
Sunday  School  was  organized  in  a  private  house  on  Arkport  street 
by  Russell  M.  Tuttle,  and  B.  Rockwell,  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  on  the 
first  Sunday  in  June,  1879.  Of  this  school  T.  J.  0.  Thacher  was 
superintendent  for  17  years  continuously.  Charles  Hartshorn, 
whose  name  the  church  very  appropriately  bears,  erected  a  chapel 
for  the  use  of  this  school  on  the  corner  of  Steuben  street  and  Mad- 
ison avenue,  the  corner  stone  being  laid  Oct.  3,  1882,  and  the  ed- 
ifice dedicated  to  Sunday  School  work  Nov.  11,  1883. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Hartshorn  the  chapel  was  deeded  to  the 
trustees  by  Mrs.  Hartshorn,  and  Feb.  17,  1891,  the  Home  Mission 
committee  of  presbytery  organized  a  church  of  36  members.  Rev. 
William  Veenschoten,  who  had  been  preaching  here  about  a  year, 
continued  to  minister  until  Dec.  1,  1892.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  George  F.  Danforth  who  remained  until  September,  1894. 
Rev.  Andrew  McC.  Brown  supplied  from  April  until  December, 
1895.  In  May,  1896,  Rev.  Fred  E.  Walton  was  called  as  pastor  and 
began  his  work.  The  elders  ordained  at  organization  were  Henry 
Dore,  James  B.   Finch,  and  Cornelius  Conderman.     Those  or- 

*The  facts  of  this  sketch  were  furnished  by  Rev.  Fred  E.  Walton. 


SKETCHES   OF    EXISTING  CHURCHES.  91 

dained  since  have  been  Walter  Kreidler,  Loren  C.  Willet, 
Thomas  Nephew,  and  Charles  S.  Bowman. 

During  the  past  fourteen  months  65  hav^e  united  with  this  church 
— 47  of  whom  have  been  upon  examination.  Nearly  200  are  en- 
rolled in  the  Sunday  School.  In  the  church  are  two  ladies'  socie- 
ties, two  Endeavor  societies,  and  a  very  successful  club  of  young 
men — the  ''Thecimeum". 


THE  ATLANTA  CHURCH  (1894-1897). 

Those*  of  the  500  residents  of  Atlanta  who  attended  church  being 
obliged  to  go  to  the  neighboring  village,  the  need  of  a  church  was 
long  apparent.  There  were  only  five  Presbyterians  in  the  commun- 
ity— Mrs.  F.  L.  D.  Wetmore,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Pierce,  Mrs.  Edith  A. 
Hatch,  Mrs.  Sarah  Conderman,  and  Mrs.  Judith  A.  Clayson.  El- 
der W.  P.  Wise  well,  of  the  Naples  Church,  was  consulted,  and 
Mrs.  Hatch  and  Mrs.  Wetmore  as  a  committee  made  a  canvass  of  the 
community  for  a  Presbyterian  church.  Rev.  H.  P.  McAdam,  D.  D., 
of  Rochester,  was  invited  to  come  and  preached  first  Apr.  8,  1894,  to 
an  audience  of  130.  Apr.  22,  1894,  the  Sunday  School  was  organ- 
ized with  Hyatt  C.  Hatch,  superintendent.  May  17,  1894,  the  first 
prayer  meeting  was  held,  with  Mrs.  Edith  A.  Hatch,  leader.  July 
22,  1894,  Rev.  George  W.  Warren,  representing  presbytery,  with 
Rev.  H.  P.  McAdam,  D.  D.,  and  elders  W.  P.  Wisewell  and  Charles 
Hamlin,  of  Naples,  organized  the  church  with  24  members — 14 
uniting  by  letter  and  10  upon  confession.  Hyatt  C.  Hatch,  J.  J. 
Crouch,  and  W.  L.  Carter  were  chosen  and  ordained  elders.  The 
Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  Aug.  15,  1894. 

Rev.  Dr.  McAdam  remained  until  Oct.  1st,  when  Rev.  Samuel  W. 
Pratt  succeeded  him,  Oct.  14,  1897,  the  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  was  organ- 
ized. Dec.  2,  1894,  the  society  was  incorporated  with  Harrison 
Briglin,  H.  W.  Hatch,  W.  E.  Waite,  E.  H.  Wetmore,  and  E.  W.  Lent 
as  trustees.  A  revival  starting  in  the  Week  of  Prayer,  under  Rev. 
S.  W.  Pratt's  ministry,  brought  37  into  membership.  Mar.  7,  1895, 
Mr.  Thomas  Kerr  was  called  to  the  pastorate.  Accepting,  he  be- 
gan work  at  once,  being  ordained  and  installed  June  6,  1895,  Rev. 
Dr.  W.  A.  Niles  preaching  the  sermon. 

George  S.  Fowler  and  W.  E.  Otto  were  ordained  elders  Aug.  4, 
1895.  Sept.  19,  1895,  the  corner  stone  of  a  church  edifice  was  laid 
which  was  dedicated  Mar.  19,  1896,  costing  furnished  about  $8,000. 
The  Woman's  Missionary  Society  was  organized  Dec.  10,  1895.  The 
present  elders  are  H.  C.  Hatch,  Geo.  S.  Fowleu,  and  W.  E.  Otto. 


♦Facts  furnished  by  Rev.  Thomas  Kerr. 


92  SKETCHES  OF    EXISTING    CHUECHES. 

THE  AVOCA  CHURCH  (1896-1897). 

On  July  30,  1896,  at  a  special  meetingf  of  presbytery,  67  persons 
presented  letters  from  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Avoca 
and  were  organized  as  the  Avoca  Presbyterian  Church.  The  reas- 
ons for  the  step  were  the  distance  from  another  Evangelical  Luth- 
eran Church  and  the  Presbyterian  training  and  sympathies  of  many 
in  the  congregation.  Samuel  J.  Beals,  J.  H.  Wagner, 
Charles  Allen,  T.  F.  Dunham,  and  Edwin  Shaver,  were  or- 
dained elders.  An  order  of  the  Court  transferred  the  old  building 
to  the  new  organization.  The  membership  is  now  116,  24  having 
been  received  Mar.  7,  1897.  The  Sunday  School  has  an  average 
attendance  of  over  100.  The  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  has  43  members — the 
Juniors  41.  This  church  is  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Sam.uel 
W.  Pratt,  who  was  chieflly  instrumental  in  the  organization. 

The  society  was  incorporated  Aug.  15,  1896.  The  trustees  are  J. 
A.  Zielley,  J.  H.  Waters,  C.  H.  Wagner,  Fred  L.  Peck,  J.  H. 
Wagner,  and  J.  H.  Beals.  A  new  edifice  costing  $3,000  was  ded- 
icated free  of  debt  Aug.  25,  1897.  The  old  edifice,  changed  and 
renovated,  forms  the  lecture  room  and  parlor. 


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